Chemical delivery system for use with a photographic processor and method of operation

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6663301
  • Patent Number
    6,663,301
  • Date Filed
    Friday, December 21, 2001
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 16, 2003
    20 years ago
Abstract
A chemical delivery system and method for use in a photographic processor is disclosed. The chemical delivery system includes a heating assembly that comprises a heating chamber and a level detection sensor. The heating chamber receives a predetermined amount of processing solution from a storage tank based on the level of the level detection sensor, heats the predetermined amount of processing solution and supplies the same to an associated photograph processor.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed to a chemical or processing solution delivery system, which may be used in a photographic processor.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Photographic processors come in a variety of shapes and sizes from large wholesale photographic processors to small micro-labs. As photographic processors become more and more technologically sophisticated, there is a continued need to make the photographic processor as user-friendly and as maintenance-free as possible.




Currently available photographic processors have one or more of the following shortcomings: (1) the film processing time is relatively high; (2) some photographic processor, because of their size, require a large amount of space; (3) some photographic processors may require an unacceptable amount of developing solution due to the design of the processing tank; and (4) some photographic processors generate an unacceptable amount of developing solution waste due to the design of the processing tank.




One component of photographic processors is a chemical or processing solution delivery system, which provides processing fluids for processing a roll of photographic film. Some conventional chemical delivery systems have one or more of the following shortcomings: (1) the chemical delivery time is unacceptably high due to (a) a processing fluid dilution step, (b) undesirably long heating times, (c) low volumetric flow into or out of the processing drum or reactor, or (d) a combination thereof; (2) some chemical delivery systems, because of their size, require a large amount of space; (3) some chemical delivery systems require an external water source to dilute the concentration of the chemicals used in the chemical delivery system; and (4) some chemical delivery systems require a drain for removal of the processing fluids from the processor.




What is needed in the art is a chemical delivery system, which (a) provides exceptional processing speed, and (b) does not require an external water source. What is also needed in the art is a chemical delivery system, which may be used in a variety of photographic processors, and is capable of minimizing (a) the amount of space needed for operation, and (b) the amount of waste generated during the photographic process.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention addresses some of the difficulties and problems discussed above by the discovery of a novel, chemical or processing solution delivery system for use in a photographic processor. The chemical delivery system provides numerous advantages over conventional chemical delivery systems including, but not limited to, (a) the ability to use “processing strength” chemicals, as oppose to concentrated chemicals, which must be diluted prior to use; (b) improved heating cycles due to a chemical heating chamber design; and (c) the ability to operate without an external water source for dilution of processing chemicals.




Further, the chemical delivery system of the present invention minimizes the amount of time needed to chemically process a roll of film. The chemical delivery system of the present invention is extremely user-friendly and requires very little maintenance.




The chemical delivery system of the present invention comprises one or more of the following components: a chemical storage reservoir, a heating assembly, and a chemical waste reservoir. One or more flow meters may be used, for example, (a) between the chemical storage reservoir and the heating assembly; or (b) between the heating chamber and a processor drum or reactor. A series of pumps and/or suction devices may be used in the chemical delivery system of the present invention to transfer a processing fluid from one location to another location within the system, for example, from a processor drum or reactor to a chemical waste reservoir.




Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a chemical delivery system, which may be used in a photographic processor. The present invention is further directed to a process of delivering chemicals to a photographic processor using the chemical delivery system.




These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The present invention is further described with reference to the appended figures, wherein:





FIG. 1

is a schematic drawing of exemplary components in a chemical delivery system of the present invention;





FIG. 2

depicts an exemplary chemical storage reservoir used in the chemical delivery system of the present invention;





FIG. 3

is a rear view of an exemplary heating assembly for use in the chemical delivery system of the present invention;





FIG. 4

is a frontal view of the exemplary heating assembly of

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 5

shows a first embodiment of a heating chamber of the heating assembly in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 6

displays a close-up view of an exemplary driving device for a stirring assembly used in the chemical delivery system of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a schematic representation of a control arrangement for the chemical delivery system of the present invention;





FIGS. 8A-8C

show a second embodiment of a heating chamber of the heating assembly in accordance with the present invention; and,





FIGS. 9A-9C

show a third embodiment of a heating chamber of the heating assembly in accordance with the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed to a chemical delivery system which may be used with a photographic processor. The chemical delivery system of the present invention comprises one or more components for storing, transporting, and collecting processing fluids or solutions, such as processing fluids or solutions used in a photographic processor. The present invention is further directed to a method of delivering chemicals, fluids or solutions to a processor, such as a photographic processor drum or tank using the chemical delivery system described below. An exemplary chemical delivery system


10


is shown in FIG.


1


.




As shown in

FIG. 1

, an exemplary chemical delivery system


10


of the present invention comprises a chemical storage reservoir


11


, a heating assembly


13


, and a chemical waste reservoir


17


. The chemical delivery system


10


may also comprise one or more devices for moving a processing fluid from one location to another location within the photographic processor. As shown in

FIG. 1

, a pump


12


may be used to move processing fluid from chemical storage reservoir


11


to heating assembly


13


. An optional pump


14


may be used to move heated fluid from heating assembly


13


to a photographic processor


15


such as a drum or tank. Further, a suction device or pump


16


may be used to remove processing fluid from processor


15


and transport the fluid to chemical waste reservoir


17


.




It should be noted that other mechanisms may be used to move processing fluid from one location to another within the chemical delivery system of the present invention. For example, gravimetric force may be used to move processing fluid from heater assembly


13


to processor


15


and/or from processor


15


to chemical waste reservoir


17


.




Each of the components of the chemical delivery system of the present invention is described in detail below.




The chemical storage reservoir may comprise four or more separate containers for storing multiple processing fluids. Typically, at least one storage container houses a developing solution, at least one storage container houses a bleach solution, at least one storage container houses a fix solution, and at least one storage container houses a wash solution. Regardless of whether the processing fluid is a developing, bleach, fix, or wash solution, the processing fluid is present within the storage container at a “working strength” concentration. As used herein, the phrase “working strength” is used to describe a processing fluid concentration, which may be used directly from the storage container without dilution with an external fluid, such as water.




An exemplary chemical storage reservoir, which may be used in the chemical delivery system of the present invention, is shown in FIG.


2


. As shown in

FIG. 2

, chemical storage reservoir


11


comprises four chemical storage containers


110


through


113


. Chemical storage reservoir


11


can further comprise two additional chemical storage containers


114


and


115


positioned behind or next to containers


110


to


113


. Each container


110


through


115


has a container outlet


116


for introducing and/or removing chemicals from the container.




The size, shape configuration and number of containers within the chemical storage reservoir


11


may vary depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the desired capacity of the chemical delivery system, and the desired size of the photographic processor. Desirably, the chemical storage reservoir comprises at least four separate chemical storage containers housing a developing solution, a bleach solution, a fix solution, and a wash solution. During a given chemical processing method, a desired volume of each solution (i.e., developing, bleach, fix and wash) is used to process photographic film.




As discussed above, the configuration of the four or more containers in the chemical storage reservoir may be any desirable configuration for a particular volume of space. For example, if the available volume of space is cylindrical, the four or more separate storage containers may have a pie shape, so that the total number of storage containers, when assembled, resembles a cylindrical volume of space.




Each storage container of the chemical storage reservoir may be connected to other components of the chemical delivery system, such as the heating assembly (described below). Processing fluids from the storage containers may be directed to other components of the chemical delivery system via conventional plastic tubing or any other means. In each fluid pathway from a storage container, a flow meter may be used to monitor and control the amount of processing fluid exiting each storage container. Further, a pump, or any other means of moving processing fluid, may be used in each fluid pathway to move processing fluid from a storage container to another location within the chemical delivery system. Desirably, each storage container has a separate fluid pathway and a separate pump, for moving each processing fluid to the other components of the chemical delivery system.




In a further embodiment of the present invention, the chemical storage reservoir rests on a sliding tray, which enables easy removal of the chemical storage reservoir from within a closed space, such as from within a photographic processor, to an open area, such as outside a photographic processor. Such an assembly allows for easy access and ease of maintenance during periodical replacement of one or more storage containers.




The chemical delivery system of the present invention may further comprise a heating assembly, which comprises one or more heating chambers for heating processing fluids prior to introduction into a photographic processor drum or tank. An exemplary heating assembly is shown in

FIGS. 3-6

.




As shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, heating assembly


13


comprises four separate heating chambers in the form of stainless steel tubes (shown in

FIG. 4

as


130


). Heating assembly


13


including chambers


130


can be enclosed in a casing


5000


which can be mounted on a stand


5001


for placement at a location adjacent to or in the vicinity of a photographic processor. As shown in

FIG. 5

, which shows a single heating chamber of heating assembly


13


, heating chamber


130


has a heating chamber inlet


131


, which receives processing fluid from a chemical storage container (for example, container


110


in

FIG. 2

) of the chemical storage reservoir


11


described above. Heating chamber


130


is connected to an outlet chamber


132


which is in turn connected to a heating chamber outlet valve


134


. As shown in

FIG. 4

, each heating chamber


130


is connected to a heating chamber outlet valve


134


for discharging heated fluid or solution from heating chamber


130


to an photographic processor. Each heating chamber


130


comprises a heating tube


133


positioned around an outer surface of heating chamber


130


for heating the chamber


130


and its contents.




With reference to

FIG. 5

, which shows one of heating chambers


130


as an example, a pump


3000


is used to pump solution from container


110


to heating chamber inlet


131


, via fluid lines


3002


and


3004


. All of the heating chambers


130


include a level detection sensor


700


positioned within chamber


130


. Level detection sensor


700


can be in the form of, for example, a metallic or stainless steel tube. The interior of all of the heating chambers


130


further include a stirrer


709


which includes a stirrer vanes


707


. Additionally, positioned within each chamber


130


is a temperature sensor or monitor (thermister)


710


which monitors the temperature of the fluid within chamber


130


.




Therefore, after processing fluid is pumped into heating chamber inlet


131


as described above, the fluid will enter into heating chamber


130


and rise within heating chamber


130


. At this point, heating tube


133


can be activated to heat the processing fluid within heating chamber


130


, and at the same time or shortly thereafter, stirrer


709


is rotated so as to mix the heated fluid within heating chamber


130


.




In a feature of the present invention, only an appropriate or predetermined amount of processing fluid which is to be supplied to the associated processor is pumped into heating chamber


130


. To achieve this feature, level detection sensors


700


in each of heating chambers


130


are positioned at an appropriate height for the specific processing fluid. For example, if more developing solution is required for a specific processing step than bleach solution, the level detection sensor


700


which is in the heating chamber


130


for the developing solution would be positioned at a higher level than the level detection sensor


700


that would be positioned in the heating chamber


130


for bleach solution.




Therefore, as processing solution or fluid fills heating chamber


130


, heating chamber


130


is heated by the activation of heating tube


133


, and at the same time, or shortly thereafter, the heated solution is stirred or mixed by way of stirrer


709


. When the processing solution reaches a height as defined by level detection sensor


700


, it is recognized that the appropriate amount of solution is now within heating chamber


130


for the specific processing to be performed. Essentially, the processing solution rising within heating chamber


130


contacts level detection sensor


700


which is connected to a central control circuit through a wire


4000


and thus completes a circuit. This would then provide a signal to a solenoid


715


also connected to the control circuit. At that point, solenoid


715


is activated so as to discharge the heated and stirred processing solution from heating chamber


130


via outlet chamber


132


and outlet valve


134


. Solenoid


715


could be a two-way solenoid which has a first position that permits fluid to enter fluid inlet


131


and proceed into heating chamber


130


, and a second position which closes inlet


131


while opening chamber


132


and chamber valve


134


, so as to permit the supply of heated and mixed processing solution to an associated processor.




Thus, with the system of the present invention, only the actual or predetermined amount of solution that will be used at the specific processing stage is heated. This is due to the fact that the level detection sensor


700


which is set at a level based on the type of solution to be supplied to the processor, will signal when enough solution is within chamber


130


. At that point, solenoid


715


opens chamber


132


and chamber valve


134


to deliver the heated and stirred solution to the associated processor. With the arrangement of the present invention, there is no need to heat a large amount of solution stored within, for example, a large storage container.




Chamber


130


further includes a temperature monitor or sensor


710


which monitors and controls the temperature of solution within heating chamber


130


. Therefore, the system could be designed to shut down if the temperature of the solution becomes too high. Further, temperature monitor


710


monitors and controls the heating of the processing solution so as to assure that the processing solution is delivered to the processor at the appropriate temperature.




As shown in

FIG. 5

, stirring mechanism


709


of the present invention comprises a rod


709




a


which extends above heating chamber


130


. The rod is connected to a sprocket


136


which when rotated, rotates stirring vanes


707


. In the arrangement of the present invention in which, for example, four heating chambers are utilized as shown in

FIG. 4

, sprockets


136


could be set up as shown in FIG.


6


. More specifically,

FIG. 6

is a top view of a heating assembly which includes four heating chambers


130


. As shown in

FIG. 6

, stirring mechanism


709


may comprise multiple sprockets


136


; multiple stirring rods


709




a,


(a portion which extends into heating chambers


130


); a chain


138


which connects the sprockets


136


to one another, and a drive sprocket


139


which is driven by a motor not shown.




Heating tube


133


of heating chamber


130


is preferably heated using electricity, steam or any other conventional method of providing heat. Using temperature monitor


710


and level detecting sensor


700


it can be determined that the desired amount of processing fluid is in chamber


130


, and the processing fluid has reached the desired temperature. Thereafter, solenoid


715


can be actuated to open chamber


132


and chamber valve


134


and thus permit the heated and mixed processing fluid to exit from heating chamber


130


.




The number of heating chambers


130


in heating assembly


13


may vary depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the desired chemical processing time for processing a roll of film, the desire to heat one or more processing fluids simultaneously, and the available space for the heating assembly. Desirably, heating assembly


13


comprises at least four separate heating chambers


130


so that each processing fluid may be heated simultaneously, sequentially or in an overlapping manner.




Each heating chamber


130


may be heated independently from one another, or may be heated and controlled simultaneously with other heating chambers


130


. Desirably, each heating chamber is capable of accelerated heating of a given volume of processing fluid up to a known or acceptable temperature or temperatures which are appropriate to achieve the desired processing result. Heating rates and final temperatures may be controlled by a microprocessor or computer, wherein heating rates and final temperatures are programmed into the microprocessor or inputted by an operator for a particular type of film.




Each heating chamber of the heating assembly may feed into another component, such as a photographic processor tank or drum. Heated processing fluids from the heating assembly may be directed to other components of the chemical delivery system via conventional plastic tubing or any other means as described above. The fluid pathway from the heating chamber(s) may converge into a single pathway of tubing prior to reaching another component, such as such as a photographic processor, or may remain as separate fluid pathways to the other component. In each fluid pathway, a flow meter may be used to monitor and control the amount of heated processing fluid exiting each heating chamber. Desirably, each heating chamber has a separate fluid pathway, and optional flow meters and pumps for each fluid pathway to the other components of the chemical delivery system.




The chemical delivery system of the present invention may also comprise a chemical waste reservoir for collecting processing fluids after the fluid has gone through a processing cycle in an associated process. The chemical waste reservoir may have any size and shape, which is compatible with a given chemical delivery system and photographic processor. Desirably, the volume capacity of the chemical waste reservoir is substantially equal to or greater than the total volume capacity of the chemical storage reservoir.




Desirably, the chemical waste reservoir is positioned within or exterior to a photographic processor to allow for easy access to the chemical waste reservoir. Like the chemical storage waste reservoir described above, the chemical waste reservoir may rest on a sliding assembly, which enables the chemical waste reservoir to be moved from a position within a photographic processor to a position outside of a photographic processor.




The chemical delivery system of the present invention may be used in a variety of processing equipment, but has particular utility in a photographic processor. The chemical delivery system of the present invention may be used in a photographic processor capable of processing one or more types of film including, but are not limited to, APS film, 135 mm film. Desirably, the chemical delivery system of the present invention is used in combination with a photographic processor designed to process APS film, 135 mm film, or both APS and 135 mm film. One particularly desirable photographic processor for use with the chemical delivery system of the present invention is disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/027,382, entitled “PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSOR AND METHOD OF OPERATION” (Docket No. 83416).




The present invention is further directed to a process of delivering processing chemicals to a photographic processor tank or drum using the above-described chemical delivery system. In one embodiment of the present invention, the process comprises (a) transferring one or more processing fluids from a chemical storage reservoir comprising one or more chemical storage containers to a heating assembly comprising one or more heating chambers; (b) heating the one or more processing fluids to a first temperature in the one or more heating chambers; (c) transferring a first heated processing fluid from the one or more heating chambers to a photographic processor; and (d) transferring the first heated processing fluid from the photographic processor reactor to a chemical waste reservoir.




The process of the present invention may be used to deliver one or more processing fluids, such as solutions used in a photographic processor (i.e., developing, bleach, fix, and wash solutions), as well as other types of solutions in processing equipment.




The process of the present invention is capable of heating one or more processing fluids simultaneously or sequentially in an accelerated manner.




The process of the present invention with respect to supplying processing solution to the heating chamber and supplying the heated processing solution to a processor could be performed manually, in an automated process controlled by a central processing unit or a combination of the two.

FIG. 7

is a schematic illustration showing an example process for controlling the supply of processing solution to a processor. As illustrated in

FIG. 7

, a computer or control processor (CPU


400


) can be used to control a portion or all of the process. In the example of

FIG. 7

, a single storage tank


110


is shown, however, it is recognized that in the process of the present invention, a different storage tank for each chemical or processing solution could be used. CPU


400


provides a signal to storage tank


110


indicating that a first amount of processing solution is to be supplied to heating chamber


130


. As the processing solution is supplied to heating chamber


130


, level detection sensor


700


which is operationally associated with CPU


400


, detects when the processing solution reaches a predetermined height (volume) and, therefore, would signal that a predetermined volume or the first amount of processing solution which is to be supplied at the specific step of the process is in chamber


130


. Further, heating tube


133


also associated with CPU


400


, receives instructions to heat the processing solution in the chamber


130


, either after chamber


130


is filled, or as chamber


130


is filling. Additionally, solenoid


715


also operationally associated with CPU


400


is in a first position where processing solution is permitted to enter heating chamber


130


and prevented from exiting heating chamber


130


. Temperature monitor


710


operationally associated with CPU


400


monitors the temperature of the processing solution that is heated within heating chamber


130


to assure that the processing solution reaches the proper temperature, and also, to prevent the processing solution from being overheated. In the event that the processing solution is overheated, temperature monitor


710


can provide a signal to CPU


400


to shut down the process. Stirrer


709


also receives a signal from CPU


400


to actuate the stirrer, so as to mix the processing solution while it is being heated or after it is heated, and prior to the solution being delivered to an associated processor


150


.




After the processing solution reaches the predetermined level as confirmed by level detection sensor


700


, and after the desired temperature is reached as confirmed by temperature monitor


710


, CPU


400


controls solenoid


715


to open chamber


132


and chamber valve


134


, and permit the delivery of the heated and stirred processing solution to processor


150


. Thereafter, CPU


400


can control the process described above for the supply of the next processing solution from a further storage container or, can provide for a washing cycle if necessary.




Up to this point, a chemical supply system which utilizes a different tank for each processing solution used, and a different heating chamber which corresponds to the tank with an associated water pump has been described. In a second embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in

FIGS. 8A-8C

, only a single heating chamber is needed for all the solutions. More specifically, in the embodiment of

FIGS. 8A-8C

, a single heating chamber


130




a


with an adjustable level detection sensor


700




a


is utilized. In the example, of

FIGS. 8A-8C

, heating chamber


130




a


includes four valve inlets


131




a


-


131




d,


for the introduction of processing solution from each of the storage tanks


110


-


113


. More specifically, each of the inlets


131




a


-


131




d


would be dedicated to a specific processing solution storage tank


110


-


113


. In the already described first embodiment of

FIGS. 3-5

, each of the heating chambers


130


included a level detection sensor


700


that is placed at a specific height within the heating chamber. Thus, if the first heating chamber is for developing solution, the level detection sensor would be set at a first height; while if the second heating chamber is for a bleach solution, the level detection sensor of the second heating chamber would be set at a second height that would be specific to the amount of bleach needed for the specific process, assuming that the amount of bleach solution needed for the process differs from the amount of developing solution.




In the second embodiment of

FIG. 8

, single heating chamber


130




a


includes level detection sensor


700




a


that is adjustable along an axis of the chamber to multiple positions. Sensor


700




a


of the embodiment of

FIGS. 8A-8C

could be a threaded rod


700




a′


which is rotated by a motor


701


(FIG.


8


C). Therefore, actuation of motor


701


rotates threaded rod


700




a′


to move threaded rod


700




a′


in a direction along an axis of the rod. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the motor and threaded rod arrangement show in

FIGS. 8A-8C

, and it is recognized that any device, whether manual or automatic, can be used to linearly drive sensor


700




a.


Therefore, when a first processing solution is supplied to heating chamber


130




a


through first inlet valve


131




a,


level detection sensor


700




a


would be placed at a first position and the heating chamber would operate as described, for example, in

FIG. 7

, with respect to heating the processing solution, stirring the processing solution and monitoring the temperature of the processing solution. When the temperature of the processing solution as measured by temperature monitor


710


reaches a predetermined or desired value, and level detection sensor


700




a


senses that the predetermined amount of processing solution has been received within processing chamber


130




a,


the heated and mixed processing solution is supplied to the associated processor as described with reference to the first embodiment.




Thereafter, and based on the type of solution used, a wash cycle can be used to wash out the first solution prior to the introduction of the second solution; or based on the type of solution and the reactivity between the first and second solutions, a second solution is supplied via a second valve


131




b


into heating chamber


130




a.


When the second solution is supplied, level detection sensor


700




a


would be moved (by actuating motor


701


) to a second position depending on the amount of second solution that is required for the processor (assuming that the amount of second solution varies from the amount of first solution). The same procedure as described above with respect to the first processing solution would thereafter be performed for the second solution. Further, the third and fourth processing solutions would be supplied via the third and fourth valves


131




c,




131




d,


and level detection sensor


700




a


would be positioned in third and fourth positions, in accordance with the amount of third and fourth processing solutions that are necessary for the process. Again, as described, each of the processing solutions would go through the stirring and heating steps as discussed above.




Therefore, in the embodiment of

FIGS. 8A-8C

, a single heating chamber


130




a


is utilized. The single heating chamber includes an adjustable level detection sensor


700




a


which is movable along a direction which is parallel to an axis of chamber


130




a,


and can be positioned at multiple positions. Each of the positions corresponds to a predetermined amount of processing solution that is desired to be heated and supplied to an associated processor. Single heating chamber


130




a


includes at least two and preferably four inlets for supplying the processing solutions to the heating chamber. In the embodiment of

FIGS. 8A-8C

, the processing solutions would thus be sequentially heated, stirred and supplied to the associated processor. On the other hand, in the first embodiment of

FIG. 5

, some of the steps such as the heating of processing solutions could take place simultaneously, since there are multiple heating chambers as opposed to the single heating chamber of

FIGS. 8A-8C

. Of course, the present invention can be practiced by utilizing a combination of the first embodiment of FIG.


5


and the second embodiment of

FIGS. 8A-8C

. For example, the present invention can utilize heating chambers


130


as illustrated in

FIG. 5

to handle processing solutions that preferably should not be mixed in a single heating chamber, and utilize the heating chambers


130




a


as illustrated in

FIGS. 8A-8C

, to handle processing solutions which are less reactive with each other, and thus could be introduced into the same heating chamber.





FIGS. 9A-9C

illustrate a third embodiment of the chemical supply delivery system of the present invention. In the embodiment of

FIGS. 9A-9C

, a heating chamber


130




b


includes a member


800


that is both a supply tube for supplying processing solution into the heating chamber


130




b


and a level detection sensor for detecting the level of processing solution in heating chamber


130




b.


Therefore, in the embodiment of

FIGS. 9A-9C

, heating chamber


130




b


includes a heating tube


133


and a temperature monitor


701


like the first and second embodiments. Heating chamber


130




b


of

FIGS. 9A-9C

, further includes a stirrer


709


as well as a mechanism for rotating the stirrer including sprocket


136


in the same manner as the first and second embodiment.




In the embodiment of

FIGS. 9A-9C

, rather than having a single valve (first embodiment) or separate valves (second embodiment) for the input of processing solution into the heating chamber, member


800


acts as both a level detection sensor and a supply tube. Therefore, heating chamber


130




b


does not include both an input valve or valves and a level detection sensor as in the first and second embodiments. Rather, heating chamber


130




b


includes member


800


which functions as both an input member for the introduction of solution into chamber


130




b


and as a level detection sensor.




During use of the embodiment of

FIGS. 9A-9C

, and utilizing one of storage tanks


110


-


113


as an example, solution is supplied via pump


3000


to a manifold


3001


. Manifold


3001


provides a path for the solution from pump


3000


to heating chamber


130




b.


More specifically, manifold


3001


can be a known manifold which includes four inputs for each of the four storage tanks


110


-


113


, and an output for supplying the solution to heating chamber


130




b.


The solution and preferably, a predetermined amount of processing solution is thereafter supplied to heating chamber


130




b


via member


800


which acts both as a supply tube and as a level detection sensor. More specifically shown as in

FIGS. 9B and 9C

, member


800


defines a tubular member which comprises an exterior in the form of a metallic or stainless steel threaded rod


800




a


which extends above heating chamber


130




b


(FIG.


9


C). A wire


4001


is attached to the top of threaded rod


800




a.


An interior of threaded rod


800




a


defines a plastic sleeve


801


which has a portion


801




a


that extends below threaded rod


800




a.


Therefore, as solution is introduced into heating chamber


130




b


through member


800


, it will travel within plastic sleeve


801


and will not contact the metallic threaded rod. This will prevent the occurrence of any false readings due to contact between threaded rod


800




a


and the solution. Since plastic sleeve


801


has a portion


801




a


that extends below threaded rod


800




a,


exiting solution will also not contact threaded rod


800




a


to prevent false readings. This is important since threaded rod


800




a


acts as a level detection sensor in the same manner as the level detection sensor of the first and second embodiments. That is, as processing solution fills heating chamber


130




b,


threaded rod


800




a


which acts as a level detection sensor will detect when a predetermined amount of solution is in heating chamber


130




b.


As the solution rises in heating chamber


130




b,


it will pass plastic portion


801




a


and contact threaded rod


800




a.


This completes a circuit via wire


4001


to signal that a predetermined amount of solution is in chamber


130




b.


Solenoid


715


just as in the first and second embodiments, is controlled to supply the heated processing solution to the processor. As in the first and second embodiments, prior to being supplied to the processor, the heated solution is preferably also stirred by using stirring mechanism


709


. Like the second embodiment, member


800


can also be adjustable so as to provide for distinct predetermined amounts of processing solution based on the type of solution being supplied to the heating chamber and the type of processing to be performed. Like the second embodiment, linear movement of member


800


could be achieved through the cooperation of threaded rod


800




a


and motor


701




a


(FIG.


9


C).




The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A chemical delivery system for a photographic processor comprising:a chemical storage reservoir comprising at least two storage containers for housing a processing fluid therein, wherein the processing fluid has a working strength concentration; a heating assembly comprising a heating chamber, said heating chamber being fluidly connected to said storage containers and being adapted to receive a predetermined amount of said processing fluid from said storage containers and heat said predetermined amount of processing fluid while in said heating chamber; and a stirring mechanism for stirring the processing fluid within the heating chamber.
  • 2. The chemical delivery system of claim 1, comprising four or more of said storage containers, each of said storage containers comprising a developing solution, a bleach solution, a fix solution, and a wash solution.
  • 3. The chemical delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a pump for pumping the processing fluid from the storage container to the heating chamber.
  • 4. The chemical delivery system of claim 2, wherein the heating assembly comprises at least four separate heating chambers, each of said heating chambers being fluidly associated with one of said four or more storage containers.
  • 5. The chemical delivery system of claim 1, wherein said heating assembly further comprises a level detection sensor, said level detection sensor extending into said heating chamber to a detecting position which corresponds to said predetermined amount of processing fluid which is to be received in said heating chamber, such that said predetermined amount of processing fluid is heated and delivered to an associated photographic processor.
  • 6. A chemical delivery system for a photographic processor comprising:a chemical storage reservoir comprising at least one storage container for housing a processing fluid therein, wherein the processing fluid has a working strength concentration; a heating assembly comprising a heating chamber, said heating chamber being fluidly connected to said storage container and being adapted to receive a predetermined amount of said processing fluid from said storage container and heat said predetermined amount of processing fluid while in said heating chamber; and a stirring mechanism for stirring the processing fluid within the heating chamber; wherein the heating assembly comprises a single heating chamber having at least two solution inlets.
  • 7. The chemical delivery system of claim 6, further comprising a level detection sensor that extends into said heating chamber, said level detection sensor being linearly movable to multiple positions based on a type of solution being supplied to the heating chamber.
  • 8. The chemical delivery system of claim 1, wherein said heating assembly further comprising a temperature sensor to monitor and control the temperature of the processing fluid in said heating chamber.
  • 9. A chemical delivery system for a photographic processor comprising:a chemical storage reservoir comprising at least one storage container for housing a processing fluid therein, wherein the processing fluid has a working strength concentration; a heating assembly comprising a heating chamber, said heating chamber being fluidly connected to said storage container and being adapted to receive a predetermined amount of said processing fluid from said storage container and heat said predetermined amount of processing fluid while in said heating chamber; and a stirring mechanism for stirring the processing fluid within the heating chamber; wherein said heating assembly further comprises a solenoid valve having a first position which permits a supply of said predetermined amount of processing fluid from said storage container to said heating chamber, and a second position which permits a supply of the heated predetermined amount of processing fluid from said heating chamber to said associated photographic processor.
  • 10. A process of delivering processing solution to a photographic processor, said process comprising the step of:(a) transferring a predetermined amount of at least one processing solution from a chemical storage reservoir comprising at least two chemical storage containers to a heating assembly comprising at least one heating chamber; (b) heating the predetermined amount of processing solution in the at least one heating chamber; and (c) transferring the heated predetermined amount of processing solution from the at least one heating chamber to an associated photographic processor.
  • 11. The process of claim 10 wherein the at least one processing solution comprises a developing solution, a bleach solution, a fix solution, a wash solution, or a combination thereof.
  • 12. The process of claim 10, wherein the heating assembly comprises at least four of said heating chambers and the chemical storage reservoir comprises at least four of said storage containers.
  • 13. The process of claim 10, further comprising the step of stirring the predetermined amount of processing solution in said heating chamber.
  • 14. The process according to claim 10, further comprising the step of monitoring and controlling a temperature of the processing solution in said heating chamber.
  • 15. The process according to claim 10, further comprising the step of positioning a level detection sensor in said heating chamber at a position which corresponds to said predetermined amount of processing solution.
  • 16. A process of delivering processing solution to a photographic processor, said process comprising the step of:(a) transferring a predetermined amount of at least one processing solution from a chemical storage reservoir comprising at least one chemical storage container to a heating assembly comprising at least one heating chamber; (b) heating the predetermined amount of processing solution in the at least one heating chamber; and (c) transferring the heated predetermined amount of processing solution from the heating chamber to an associated photographic processor; wherein the heating assembly comprises a single heating chamber having at least two solution inlets.
  • 17. The process according to claim 16, further comprising a movable level detection sensor that is movable to multiple positions within said heating chamber.
  • 18. A chemical delivery system for a photographic processor comprising:a chemical storage reservoir comprising at least one storage container for housing a processing fluid therein, wherein the processing fluid has a working strength concentration; and a heating assembly comprising a heating chamber, said heating chamber being fluidly connected to said storage container and being adapted to receive a predetermined amount of said processing fluid from said storage container and heat said predetermined amount of processing fluid while in said heating chamber; wherein said heating assembly further comprises a valve having a first position which permits a supply of said predetermined amount of processing fluid from said storage container to said heating chamber, and a second position which permits a supply of the heated predetermined amount of processing fluid from said heating chamber to an associated photographic processor.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to the following pending patent applications, some of which are filed concurrently herewith: U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,202 issued Nov. 26, 2002, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSOR AND METHOD OF OPERATION and U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,261 issued Feb. 11, 2003, entitled A PROCESSING SOLUTION DELIVERY SYSTEM HAVING A SUPPLY TUBE AND LEVEL DETECTION SENSOR UNIT FOR USE WITH A PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSOR.

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