05/332670

12/24/1974

02/15/1973

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396/571

396/636, 396/598

G03D13/00; G03D13/04; G03D13/02; G03D13/00

95/89R,93,100,96,97,98 354/297,299,307,312,317,331

3438317	APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM	April 1969	Merolli et al.
3626834	PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT DEVELOPING UNIT	December 1971	Speranzo
3626835	PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING MACHINE	December 1971	Buechner
3698307	PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT AND FILM PROCESSING MACHINE	October 1972	Reichardt
3744394	APPARATUS FOR RAPID PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM	July 1973	Firth

Braun, Fred L.

Williamson, Bains & Moore

What is claimed is

1. A photographic processing apparatus for chemically processing photographic material with processing liquid comprising:

2. The photographic processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said funnelled aperture through said cover member is positioned to discharge liquid onto said distribution ledge substantially midway along the length of said distribution ledge.

3. The photographic processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive means for rotating said cylinder turns said cylinder such that the cylinder periphery within said trough moves toward the distribution ledge to maximize contact between material retained by said cylinder and newly added processing liquid as it pours down the said distribution ledge into said trough.

4. The photographic processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although color processing is a well established science, the commercially available equipment associated therewith has been largely designed for commercial establishments with elaborate darkroom facilities including temperature controlled running water and drainage equipment and, in addition, the equipment requires a considerable capital investment. Such processing equipment has had little appeal for amateur photographers, photo clubs, and the like who frequently find such darkroom facilities and equipment beyond their limited financial means.

Another problem encountered by amateur color processors is that the developing solution used in color processing is extremely temperature dependent, a variance of more than ±1/2 degree being adequate to substantially affect the quality of the color print. Maintaining the temperature of the developing solution within the critical temperature range requires temperature control equipment usually unavailable in a small processing facility. In addition, since color processing has had to be done in total darkness and requires a plurality of washing and draining operations, it has been essential to have a darkroom provided with temperature controlled running water and drainage equipment, further increasing the required capital investment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a photo processing apparatus for photographic material such as light sensitized paper or photographic film. Processing liquids are added to and removed from the apparatus to fully process the film or color print. The term "processing liquids" as used herein is intended to include such liquids as developing solutions, stop-fixes, bleaches, stabilizers, water, and any other liquids useful now or hereafter in color processing of prints and film.

The invention includes a processing receptacle for containment of a predetermined amount of processing liquid and a cover member which is removably mounted to the processing receptacle. The cover member and receptacle are provided with light sealing means, thereby permitting the apparatus to be loaded in total darkness and then operated with the room normally lighted for subsequent processing operations. Thus the invention can be used with the standard sinks and drains found in most modern homes and buildings. The invention includes a heater and control means within the receptacle to maintain a predetermined temperature within a processing chamber defined by cover member and receptacle.

With the present invention only the loading of film or sensitized paper into the chamber must be done in darkness. Thereafter the invention can be operated in a normally lighted room. Consequently the darkroom need not be elaborately equipped. This substantially reduces the capital investment now required for a color darkroom and increases processing convenience. Once loading has been accomplished the invention is used with a conventionally plumbed sink which is adequate for all washing and draining steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view, partially in phantom, of the color processing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a sectional, partially phantom, view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along cutting plane 2--2 and showing the internal structure of the apparatus with the cover closed;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the rotatable cylinder engaging mechanism of the invention taken along cutting plane 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional exploded view of a slip clutch used with the invention, the view being taken along cutting plane 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken in the direction of arrows 5--5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one type of cylinder usable with the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is an end view of a second type of cylinder usable with the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is an electrical schematic diagram of the electrical components and circuitry used with the embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view, partially in cross section, of a second embodiment of the processing apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an alternative valve useful with the apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is a front view of a third type of cylinder useful with the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, the color photo processing apparatus 10 is provided with a processing receptacle 12 which is adapted to contain a predetermined amount of processing liquid within a trough 14. The receptacle 12 is provided with supporting legs 15, 16, 17 and 18 and may be positioned so as to straddle a sink or drain to permit processing liquid to be evacuated from the receptacle 12 through drain 19 as will be described hereafter.

A pair of upright ears 20 and 21, integral with the receptacle 12, have bearing apertures 22 and 23 therethrough for support of shafts 24 and 25, respectively. Shaft 24 is rotatably mounted in the bearing aperture 22 of ear 20 further supported by sleeve 26 extending outward from the ear. A handle 27 is firmly attached to the shaft 24 at the outer end thereof. An arbor 28 is attached to the inner end of the shaft 24, the shaft being slidable axially along bearing aperture 22 of sleeve 26 to permit cylinder 29 to be selectively retained or released. A coil spring 30 compresses and expands axially as the shaft 22 slides through sleeve 26 from retaining position 31 to releasing position 32 (FIG. 3) the spring tension being adequate to keep the arbor 28 in continuous engagement with cylinder 29 unless withdrawn by the operator.

Shaft 25 is coupled to a motor shaft or alternatively may be the motor shaft itself as shown herein. The shaft 25 has a tightly coiled coupling spring 33 fitted securely therearound and having an extending prong 34 which slides into a socket 35 within sleeve 36 of arbor 37 (FIG. 4). The spring 33 is constructed and arranged so that when the cylinder 29 rotates in the direction of arrow 38 (FIG. 1) the spring 33 will partially uncoil if for any reason a sudden stoppage of the cylinder occurs. In addition, if the arbor 37 stops moving while the motor shaft 25 is turning, sufficient tolerance is provided between spring 33 and shaft 25 so that the shaft will rotate within the spring. The coupling spring 33 thus acts as a slip clutch between motor shaft 25 and arbor 37. Although the slip clutch is not essential to the operation of the invention it is a desirable safety feature for protection of both the motor and the operator in the event an article of clothing or the like should become entangled in the cylinder or arbors.

Arbors 28 and 37 each have three substantially identical radially extending arms 40, 41, and 42 (FIGS. 1 and 2), each arm having a tapered flange 43 (FIG. 3) which fits within and supports the inner periphery 44 of cylinder 29. The tapered flange 43 on each arm of the arbors causes the cylinder 29 to be automatically centered in operating position on the arbors 28 and 37 when the arbor 28 is forced into endwise engagement with the cylinder by spring 30 acting against ear 20 and axially along the shaft 24. The arbors 28 and 37, shafts 24 and 25, a drive means such as motor 45, and spring 30 act as a rotatable cylinder engaging mechanism releasably engaging the cylinder for insertion and removal thereof and positioning it so a part of the cylinder periphery will extend into liquid in the trough.

Overflow channels 46 and 47 located along the edge of the trough 14 are positioned at a predetermined level above the bottom of the trough to maintain the level of processing liquid in the trough at a predetermined level. Overflow channels 46 and 47 lead from the edge of the trough downward through the receptacle, emerging through separate apertures such as 48 located beneath the receptacle in the sheltered inner corners (FIG. 5) provided by the legs 17 and 18. This positioning in the darkened shadows provided by the legs 17 and 18 assures that a minimum of light reaches the drain apertures. In addition, a light shield 49 is positioned directly beneath the channel 47 and attached to the receptacle to intercept stray light which otherwise might enter the channel 47 and eventually reach the sensitized paper in the chamber 50. The overflow aperture of channel 46 which emerges adjacent leg 18 is equipped with a similar light shield.

Adjustable leveling screws 52 and 53 extending downwardly from legs 15 and 18 permit the receptacle to be leveled, assuring that the level of processing liquid within the trough 14 is uniform all along the cylinder periphery.

A central drain 19 at the bottom of the trough 14 and extending downward through the receptacle 12 to orifice 51 provides a convenient means for rapidly evacuating processing liquid from the trough 14.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a closure 54 closely seated in sealing relationship against orifice 51 assures that processing liquids do not escape from the trough when the closure is in closed position 55. The closure 54 is supported by an arm 56 which is fixed to the shaft 57 of lever 58, the shaft 57 being pivotally mounted to the receptacle 12. A ball handle 59 provides a convenient grasping point for an operator when swinging the lever downwardly to move closure 54 from closed position 55 to discharge position 60 to drain the trough. A tensioned spring 61 mounted on the shaft 57 of lever 58 and having an extending prong 62 resting in spring loaded relationship against the inner side of the leg 18 (FIG. 2) establishes a resultant force acting to retain the closure 54 in closed position 55 which must be overcome by an operator manually swinging lever 58 downwardly.

Referring now to FIG. 6 the cylinder 29 has a clip 63 for retaining sensitized paper 64 on the cylinder's outer periphery 65, the clip being attached to the cylinder by any known means and having an edge 66 under which sensitized paper may be retained. The sensitized paper may alternatively be rolled and inserted within the hollowed cylinder as shown at 67, the picture side of the paper facing inwardly when the paper is within the cylinder and facing outwardly if the paper is carried by the clip 63 external to the cylinder.

A second embodiment of a cylinder is shown in FIG. 7 and comprises a hollow cylinder 68 having a plurality of perforations such as 69 all along its length to better permit processing fluid to flow therethrough. In addition the cylinder is provided with a plurality of inwardly directed protrusions such as 70 which support a piece of sensitized paper thereon, the picture side of the paper facing inwardly. When either cylinder 29 or 68, which are completely interchangeable, is used with the apparatus 10 the preferred direction of cylinder rotation is as indicated by arrow 38 in FIG. 1, wherein the cylinder's outer periphery within the trough 14 moves toward the distribution ledge 71. This direction of rotation results in the sensitized paper 64 on the cylinder periphery 44 or 65 being placed in direct confronting relationship with newly added processing liquid since the flow path of liquid is directly against the rotating cylinder, maximizing the exposure of the sensitized paper to newly added processing liquid.

The electric motor 45 which is selected from commercially available units provides a drive means for the arbors 28 and 37 and should include a gear train adequate to assure cylinder rotation at an appropriate speed for processing of the sensitized paper. It has been found that a cylinder speed of approximately 35 r.p.m. is excellent, although it should be understood that this speed is not critical. A housing 72 removably attached to the receptacle protects the motor from accidental spillage of liquids thereon.

Since it is desirable to maintain a predetermined temperature level within the chamber 50 during temperature dependent stages of processing, a heater 73 is supported within cavity 74 beneath the trough, lying along the entire length of the trough. The temperature of the liquid in the trough should be maintained at the recommended level for the particular developing solution selected. Typically this is approximately 85°F. or 100°F. for the more frequently used commercially available developers. A temperature sensor 75 responsive to a predetermined temperature or temperatures is inserted in cavity 76 of the receptacle and provides a means for detecting changes in temperature. The sensor is connected to control means such as a thermostat solid state relay device 77, or the equivalent, to actuate the heater when the temperature at the sensor falls below a predetermined temperature. Typically this temperature is 100°F. If desired a sensor can be installed which is selectively responsive to this or a second temperature, the temperature being chosen by the operator to fit the developing solution selected.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 a cover member 78 is swingably connected to the processing receptacle by hinges 79 at the rear of the receptacle to permit the cover to be moved from an open position 80 (FIG. 1) to a closed position 81 (FIG. 2). The receptacle is provided with a pair of spaced light sealing lips 82 and 83 about the edge of the cover member, the lips arranged to cooperate with a central tongue member 84 located on the receptacle and receivable between lips 82 and 83 to form a light-tight seal when the cover is in the closed position 81. When the cover is in the closed position it also assists in maintaining an established chamber temperature.

The cover member 78 is further provided with an inlet in the form of a funnelled aperture 85 which passes through the cover member, the aperture having cooperating offset baffles 86 and 87 therealong (FIG. 2) which prevent light from entering the closed chamber 50 defined by cover member 78 and receptacle 12. The funnelled aperture 85 permits an operator to add processing liquids to the trough 14 even when the lid is in closed light sealing relationship with the receptacle. When liquid is added, it flows downwardly along and between baffles 86 and 87 as indicated by arrows in FIG. 2, ultimately entering the chamber 50 through aperture 88.

As processing liquid enters the chamber from aperture 88 the liquid strikes distribution ledge 71 which is angled downwardly toward the trough 14. Liquids striking the distribution ledge spread longitudinally along the ledge 71 and flow into the trough, thereby assuring that the chemicals are more rapidly distributed to all parts of the trough. The direction 38 of rotation of cylinder 29 is arranged to carry sensitized paper on the cylinder from within the trough toward the distributor ledge 71.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the electrical circuit 89 for the apparatus 10 is shown in solid line and may be connected to a source of electrical energy 90' such as 110 volt or 220 volt alternating current. Control means such as a thermostat, solid state relay device 77, or equivalent is connected in series with heater 73 and provides an open circuit until the temperature at the sensor 75 falls below the predetermined temperature. When the absence of the predetermined temperature is sensed, the device 77 responds by providing a closed circuit to pass energy to heater 73 which then begins warming the chamber 50. When the predetermined temperature is detected by sensor 75 the relay device 77 again provides an open circuit, turning off the heater until needed again. The motor 45 and a toggle switch 89a (FIGS. 1 and 8) are electrically connected in series with each other and in parallel with the heater and relay device, the motor 45 being actuated only when switch 89a is manually closed by the operator. The electrical components shown in phantom in FIG. 8 will be discussed hereafter.

In operation, when a sheet of sensitized paper is to be processed, an operator first pours a measured quantity of developing solution into the trough 14. The apparatus is then connected to a source of electrical energy resulting in the sensor 75 immediately sensing the temperature level adjacent the cavity 76. Since the solution is ordinarily at a temperature less than the desired temperature of 85° or 100°F., the relay device 77 acts as a closed switch and the heater 73 within cavity 74 is actuated to raise the chamber temperature and the chemicals to the predetermined desired level. The agitation provided by cylinder 29 rotating in the chamber 50 assures that the temperature of the chemicals therein becomes substantially uniform and is maintained. Increased temperature stability can be maintained in the chamber by keeping cover member 78 closed since the atmosphere surrounding the cylinder is warmed by its proximity to the heated chemicals. Ordinarily the desired temperature level is quickly reached, the exact time required being determined by the temperature of the processing liquid when heating begins. When the desired temperature is reached, the sensor 75 detects the desired temperature and the device 77 responds by interrupting current to the heater 73, turning it off. The sensor 75, mounted in the receptacle 12 between the heater 73 and the trough 14, senses the cooling of the processing liquids as well as the heat originating from the heater 73. The sensor is positioned to detect both the heating and cooling effects and provides an extremely accurate indication of when additional heat is and is not needed.

When the desired temperature is reached, the operator, in the darkened room, wets the sensitized paper in a separate tray and then loads the cylinder 29 or 68 with the sensitized paper 64 which is to be processed, the paper being placed under the retaining clip 63 with the emulsion side of the paper outward or alternatively the paper being placed within the cylinder 29 or 68 with the emulsion side of the paper facing inwardly toward the axis of the cylinder. The operator then pulls the handle 27 axially outward from the processing apparatus in direction 90a causing the spring 30 (FIG. 3) to be compressed and the arbors 28 and 37 to be spaced apart sufficiently to permit the cylinder 29 to be placed therebetween. As the operator releases the handle 27 the spring 30 urges the arbor 28 toward the cylinder and the tapered flanges 43 on the radial arms of the arbors center the cylinder between the arbors and hold it for subsequent rotation. If desired, the cylinder may be placed in the trough 14 and supported on the clip 63 to protect the emulsion until the radial arms grip the cylinder.

The operator, still in total darkness, swings the cover member 78 to a closed position 81, putting it in light-tight sealing relationship with the receptacle 12. After the cover member has been closed the room lights may be turned on and the sink or drain used for subsequent processing steps.

Immediately on clamping the cylinder between arbor and closing the lid the operator turns on toggle switch 89a and the motor 45 and its associated gear train rotates cylinder 29 in the direction of arrow 38 at the rate of approximately 35 r.p.m. Rotational energy is transmitted from motor shaft 25 through coupling spring 33 to arbor 37. If the arbor is prevented from turning, the shaft 25 rotates within spring 33 until the stoppage is corrected. An operator can ascertain whether the cylinder is rotating by observing whether handle 27 is rotating, since handle 27 cannot turn unless the cylinder 29 turns.

The rotating cylinder repeatedly carries the sensitized paper 64 into and out of the developing solution in the trough 14 assuring even and repeated exposure of the paper to the processing liquid. This first developing step is allowed to continue for approximately two or three minutes to properly develop the sensitized paper 64. Then the operator swings handle 59 downwardly in the direction of arrow 90a to a discharge position 60 causing the arm 56 to swing downwardly carrying closure 54 clear of the orifice 51. The developing solution in the trough 14 flows rapidly out orifice 51 to a conveniently located sink drain for disposal. The operator then releases handle 27 and the spring 61 swings arm 56 and closure 54 into a closed position 55 against the orifice 51.

Water is next directed into funnelled aperture 85, preferably at a temperature level of approximately 100°F., although the temperature is not critical in this washing step. Wash water flows along and between cooperating baffles 86 and 87 as shown by the arrows of FIG. 2 and passes through aperture 88 into the chamber 50, the entering liquid striking distribution ledge 71 and thence flowing downwardly into the trough 14 to refill it. The operator continues the flow of water for approximately a half minute, permitting the water to overflow the trough 14 through overflow channels 46 and 47 which discharge the water beneath the receptacle 12 without admitting light to the chamber 50. The overflow channels 46 and 47 maintain the liquid in the trough 14 at a predetermined optimum depth for washing which is greater than that for developing.

On completion of this washing step, the operator turns off the water flow and again swings handle 27 downwardly to a discharge position 60 to discharge the accumulated water from trough 14 into the sink, and then swings the handle 27 upward to again seal the trough 14.

The operator next pours a pre-measured amount of processing liquid known in the art as a stop-fix solution into the funnelled aperture 85. By measuring all chemicals accurately operator knows that the trough is filled to the most economical level for thorough processing and after approximately a half minute of continued cylinder rotation within the stop-fix solution, the operator depresses the handle 27 to again discharge the liquid from the trough.

The next step is to resupply wash water to the trough 14 through the funnelled aperture 85 to wash the stop-fix from the cylinder and sensitized paper. The processing operation continues in the same manner through the bleaching and fixing with a wash following each. The last solution added is usually a stabilizer which is not washed off the print. The motor 45 is then turned off with toggle switch 89a, and processing has now been completed.

The operator can now swing open the cover member 78 and pull handle 27 outward from the receptacle 12 causing the arbor 28 to move away from arbor 37, releasing the cylinder 29, which is then lifted from the trough by the operator and the paper 64 or 67 removed.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a second photographic processing apparatus 100 embodying the invention is shown, the apparatus 100 being similar to the already described apparatus 10 and bearing identical reference where appropriate, but differing in the ways described hereafter.

The receptacle 12 of the apparatus is somewhat wider in order to accommodate a vat 101, integral with the receptacle and adjacent the processing chamber 50 which permits the storage of processing liquids therein. The vat 101 may be divided into four separate cavities with separate drain means and closure means to reach the chamber 50. Two of these cavities have light shields similar to the cover pour spot to keep out light. The vat 101 is provided with a heater, the heater being inserted in a cylindrical cavity 103 in the receptacle and extending under substantially the entire length of the vat 101. A sensor 104 for thermostat 106 is positioned in a second cavity 105 and is responsive to changes in temperature of the liquid in the vat 101. The type of heater and sensor selected and used with the invention may be the same as those used for temperature control of trough 14 in the apparatus 10. As was the case for the heater 73 and sensor 75 used with the apparatus 10, the sensor 104 is positioned in the receptacle between the heater 102 and the bottom of the vat 101 to sense the cooling of the chemicals in the vat as well as the heat rising from the heater 102, to provide an extremely accurate anticipating control function to control temperature in the vat 101. The sensor 104 and relay 106 can be selectively set to operate at a plurality of temperatures if desired, such as approximately 85°F. and 100°F, as was the case with sensor 75 and thermostat 77 used with the embodiment 10.

The sensor 104 is connected directly to a relay 106, the relay actuating the heater 102 when the temperature detected by the sensor 104 falls below a predetermined temperature and turning off the heater 102 when the temperature sensed by sensor 104 reaches the predetermined temperature. The circuitry associated with the heater 102, sensor 104, and thermostat 106 is indicated in FIG. 8 wherein additional components associated with apparatus 100 are shown in phantom and have been added to the circuit 89. Accordingly all components shown in FIG. 8, whether in solid line or in phantom, are used with the apparatus 100. The circuit elements in FIG. 8 which are required for apparatus 10 include all components shown in solid line and are discussed in conjunction with the embodiment 100.

If desired, an electrical solenoid 107 may be mounted adjacent the vat 101 in order to actuate closure 111 to open and close the drain 108, the solenoid shaft 109 being coupled to closure shaft 110. A spring 112 on the shaft 110 extends between and abuts against closure 111 and seal 113 to assure that the closure 111 is in sealing relationship with the drain 108 unless the solenoid 107 is energized. Typically a program timer can operate a plurality of these valves for automatic operation including washing. The electrical connections associated with the solenoid actuated closure are shown in phantom in FIG. 8 where only a single valve is shown for simplicity.

If desired, the solenoid actuated closure of FIG. 9 may be replaced by the manually actuated closure shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10 the closure shaft 110 is connected directly to knob 115, the shaft 110 being slidably retained by housing 116' to permit sliding movement in direction 116 in order to open the drain 108 and release processing liquid into chamber 50. As was the case in FIG. 9, a spring 112 assures that the closure means 111 remains seated in sealing relationship with the drain 108 obstructing the drain until the knob 115 is moved outwardly in direction 116 by the operator.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 11, the handle 27 controlling the location of the arbor 28 is provided with an apparatus by which it may be retained in cylinder releasing position 32 (FIG. 3) to more readily facilitate the placement of the cylinder in the processing chamber 50 using both hands. The shaft 24 is provided with a slot 117 therearound, the slot being arranged to receive cooperating indentation 119 of finger 118 therein which provides an effective stop to prevent arbor 28 from moving inward to the cylinder retaining position 31. The finger 118 is pivotally mounted to receptacle 12 at 120 so as to selectively engage the shaft 24.

In operation, when the operator desires to insert a cylinder 29 within the processing chamber 50 of the apparatus 100, he raises cover member 78 and pulls handle 27 axially outward, the indentation 119 on finger 118 then slipping downward into slot 117 on shaft 24 due to gravity force as the shaft moves outward. The engagement between finger 119 and slot 117 retains the handle 27 and shaft 24, keeping arbor 28 in cylinder releasing position 32 (FIG. 3), thereby allowing the operator to use both hands to place any cylinder disclosed herein or the equivalent within the processing chamber 50. When the operator wishes the cylinder to be engaged by the arbors 28 and 37 he swings the finger 118 upwardly about pivot 120 and the handle 27 and shaft 24 move inwardly toward the cylinder to cylinder retaining position 31 due to the reaction force of compressed spring 30. The cylinder is now retained between the arbors 28 and 37 as already described for the apparatus 10. Naturally the pivotally mounted finger 118 and slotted shaft 24 may be used with either apparatus 10 or 100.

Processing liquid added to the vat 101, if below the desired temperature to which thermostat 106 is set, is rapidly detected by the sensor 104, and thermostat 106 then actuates the vat heater 102. The heater 102 then remains in operation until the sensor 104 detects that the desired temperature has been reached, at which point the thermostat 106 turns off heater 102. The sensor 104 and thermostat 106 continue to function, actuating the heater 102 whenever the temperature detected by the sensor falls below the desired value which is typically 85°F. or 100°F. Accordingly, the processing liquid in the vat 101 is maintained at desired temperature at substantially all times. When processing fluid is to be added to the chamber 50 for processing photographic materials therein, the operator actuates switch 114 to energize the solenoid 107 to move closure 111 from its sealing position in drain 108, or alternatively manually moves the knob 115 in direction 116 to open the drain. In either event, the closure 111 is moved clear of drain 108 and processing liquid in the vat 101 pours through drain 108 into the chamber 50, the operator closing the drain 108 when ample liquid has been delivered to the chamber 50. Operation is otherwise as described for the first embodiment 10 of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a third embodiment of a cylinder usable with either apparatus 10 or 100 is shown, the shown cylinder 130 being arranged to carry a roll of photographic film wrapped therearound while being processed within the apparatus 10 or 100. The cylinder 130, which fits within and is carried by the arbors 28 and 37 in the same manner as cylinders 29 and 68, already described, has a helical coil 131 extending from end 132 to end 133, the helical coil 131 including helical members 134 and 135 which are located adjacent one another for a substantial portion of their length, and are rigidly interconnected by spacing strips 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 140a, 141, 142, 143, and 144. The strips 136 and 144 are provided with film retaining clips 144a and 160, respectively. Strips 136, 137, 138, 139, 140 140a, 141, 142, 143 and 144 are located below the film and do not touch the photo-sensitive chemical surface of the film. The up-turned ends located between the two coils extend beyond the outside diameter and act as quides for the film.

A substantially circular member 146 extends from strip 144 where it is welded at 147 around and to helical member 135 to which it is again welded this time at 148.

A second substantially circular member 150 extends from strip 136 to which it is welded at 157, the curved member extending substantially circularly around and to the helical member 134 to which it is welded at 158. A supporting strip 159 extends between and is welded to the helical member 134 and the circular member 150; a second support strip 160a extends from helical member 135 to circular member 146 and is welded to both members. These support strips provide lateral support for the circular members 150 and 146 to retain them in planes substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder 130 when engaged by the arbors 37 and 28.

In operation, when photographic material such as film is to be processed, one end of the film is slipped under the clip 144a on film retaining strip 136. The film is then helically circled about the cylinder 130, successively guided and held by the spacing strips 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 140a, 142, 143, and 144, the end of the film then being tucked under the clip 160 to retain the entire film on the cylinder 130. The cylinder may now be placed within the chamber 50, where it is retained by the arbors 28 and 37. The film processing apparatus 10 or 100 may then be operated as already described, required types of processing liquids being added and drained at appropriate times.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.