Photographic processor having side by side processing paths and method of operation

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6517263
  • Patent Number
    6,517,263
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, March 27, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 11, 2003
    22 years ago
  • CPC
  • US Classifications
    Field of Search
    • US
    • 396 548
    • 396 612
    • 396 617
    • 396 620
    • 396 625
    • 396 633
    • 396 634
    • 396 635
    • 396 636
    • 396 641
    • 134 64 R
    • 134 64 P
    • 134 122 P
    • 134 122 R
  • International Classifications
    • G03D304
    • G03D308
Abstract
A photographic processor and method of operation is disclosed. The processor includes a circular drum having first and second film processing paths, and a disk positioned inside the drum. The disk comprises a first set of disk teeth for engagement with perforations on a first type of film and a second set of disk teeth for engagement with perforations on a second type of film. The first and second set of disk teeth are positioned along a portion of an outer periphery of the disk. The processor also includes a circular dryer for drying the processed film. The dryer extends around an outer periphery of the drum.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed to a photographic processor and method of operation.




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 processors, 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 processor generate an unacceptable amount of developing solution waste due to the design of the processing tank.




What is needed in the art is a photographic processor, which provides exceptional print quality while requiring a minimal number of tasks necessary for an operator to process a roll of film. What is also needed in the art is a photographic processor, which is designed to efficiently process a roll of film while minimizing 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 and compact photographic processor having an internal drum design, which minimizes the chemicals required to process a roll of film and consequently minimizes the amount of waste generated per roll of film processing. The photographic processor is extremely user-friendly and low maintenance.




Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a photographic processor and a method of processing film using the photographic processor. The present invention is further directed to photographic processor which can process various types of film.




The present invention relates to a photographic processor that comprises a processing drum having a first wall, a second wall and a side wall connecting the first wall to the second wall, with the side wall extending around a perimeter of the drum; a disk positioned inside the drum in a plane parallel to both the first wall and the second wall, wherein the disk comprises a first set of disk teeth capable of interengaging with first holes along an edge of a first type of film and a second set of disk teeth capable of interengaging with second holes along an edge of a second type of film; and a mechanism for rotating the disk.




The present invention further relates to a processing device that comprises a means for processing a first type of film along a first circular processing path and processing a second type of film along a second circular processing path, wherein the first and second circular processing paths are respectively positioned within adjacent parallel planes; and means for conveying the first and second types of film along the first and second circular processing paths.




The present invention further relates to a processing apparatus that comprises a circular processing drum having a first film path for processing a first type of film and a second film path for processing a second type of film, with the first and second film paths being respectively positioned in parallel planes; and a circular disk positioned inside the drum. The disk comprises a first set of disk teeth capable of interengaging with first holes on the first type of film to convey the first type of film along the first film path, and a second set of disk teeth capable interengaging with second holes on the second type of film to convey the second type of film along the second path.




The present invention further relates to a method of processing photographic film which comprises the steps of inserting the film into a first processing path or a second processing path of a circular processing drum based on a type of film to be processed, with the first processing path being adapted to receive a first type of film and the second processing path being adapted to receive a second type of film which is different than the first type of film; supplying and discharging processing solution into and from the processing drum to process the film; and transferring the processed film from the circular processing drum to a circular drying cylinder.




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 frontal view of an exemplary photographic processor of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a rear view of an exemplary photographic processor of the present invention;





FIG. 3

depicts exemplary circular processing drum used in the photographic processor of the present invention;





FIG. 4

depicts an exemplary disk located within the circular processing drum of the present invention;





FIG. 5

displays a close-up view of an exemplary disk having an outer perimeter and one more sets of disk teeth;





FIG. 6

depicts an exemplary roller mechanism positioned within the circular processing drum;





FIG. 7

depicts a rear view of the exemplary roller mechanism of

FIG. 6

;





FIG. 8

depicts an exemplary drum and disk drive mechanism for rotating a circular processing drum, and a clutch mechanism for selectively engaging the drum and disk;





FIG. 9

displays a cross-sectional view of the drum and disk drive mechanism along line


9


A—


9


A in

FIG. 8

;





FIG. 9B

schematically illustrates a driving and clutching arrangement of the invention;





FIG. 10

depicts a film cartridge in a film-loading position using one film-loading method of present invention;





FIG. 11

depicts a film cartridge stabilizing step in one film-loading method of the present invention;





FIG. 12

depicts a film nipping step during a film-loading method of the present invention;





FIG. 13

depicts a cross-sectional view of film entering into a circular processing one film-loading method of the present invention;





FIG. 14

depicts a sheet of film having a lead end and a tail end within the drum processing cavity of a circular processing drum;





FIGS. 15A and 15B

depicts an exemplary film transfer arm, which transfers film from a circular processing drum to a dryer;





FIG. 16

depicts an exemplary film loading/unloading device used in a film-loading method of the present invention wherein film is separated from its corresponding film cartridge;





FIG. 17

depicts a cross-sectional view of the exemplary film loading/unloading device as seen along line


17





17


in

FIG. 16

;





FIG. 18

depicts an exemplary film-loading guide used to load a film roll into a circular processing drum;





FIG. 19

depicts a film transfer step, wherein a strip of film is transferred from a circular processing drum to a dryer by film sheet gripper rolls attached to a film transfer arm;





FIG. 20

depicts a film processing step, wherein a strip of film exits a dryer into a scanner festoon box; and





FIG. 21

depicts a film processing step, wherein a strip of film exits a festoon box and a scanner;





FIG. 22

illustrates a sectional view of further embodiment of the processing drum of the present invention;





FIG. 23

is a partial view of the drum of

FIG. 22

, showing a first type of film being transferred from the drum to a dryer;





FIG. 24

is a partial view of the drum of

FIG. 22

showing a second type of film being transferred from the drum to a dryer, and





FIG. 25

illustrates a sectional view of a further embodiment of the processing drum of the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed to photographic processors. An exemplary photographic processor of the present invention is shown in FIG.


1


. The photographic processor


10


comprises at least an outer housing, which includes a first side wall


11


, a base housing member


12


, and second side wall


13


. The photographic processor


10


includes a circular processing chamber


14


(also referred to herein as the “circular processing drum


14


”), which may be used to expose a given strip or roll of film to one or more photoprocessing chemicals. Photographic processor


10


further includes a film-loading/unloading device


15


positioned above and cooperating with circular processing drum


14


. A chemical delivery system


16


is positioned for easy access by a user (i.e., for maintenance or replacement purposes) at a location near side wall


13


and base housing member


12


. Photographic processor


10


also includes a circular dryer


17


in the form of, for example, a cylinder, for drying the processed film. Dryer


17


is concentrically and co-axially positioned around processing drum


14


. Once a given strip or roll of film is dried in dryer


17


, the film proceeds to a scanner


18


′, which may be positioned above chemical delivery system


16


in a space bordered by side wall


13


and left interior wall


18


or any other convenient location.





FIG. 2

depicts a rear view of photographic processor


10


. As shown in

FIG. 2

, photographic processor


10


includes opening


19


in side wall


13


for accessing chemical delivery system


16


. Sliding track mechanism


20


allows an operator to pull at least a portion of chemical delivery system


16


through opening


19


to an exterior location outside of photographic processor


10


. Such an assembly allows for quick and easy maintenance and replacement of chemical delivery system


16


. Photographic processor


10


can include a waste collection reservoir


21


, which collects and stores used processing chemicals removed from circular processing drum


14


following development of a given strip or roll of film. As shown in

FIG. 2

, dryer


17


includes dryer entrance


171


and dryer blower


172


. The various components of photographic processor


10


will be described in more detail below with reference to

FIGS. 3-21

.




Circular processing drum


14


is further described in FIG.


3


. As shown in

FIG. 3

, circular processing drum


14


includes a first wall


141


, a second wall


142


, a side wall


143


, and a central axis opening


144


. A portion of a drum and disk drive mechanism


25


(shown in

FIGS. 2

,


8


and


9


) passes through central access opening


144


. Circular processing drum


14


comprises two circular sections joined together at multiple locations around the perimeter of circular processing drum


14


via male clasping members


145


and female clasping members


146


. It should be noted that any means for attaching the two circular components of circular processing drum


14


may be used in place of male clasping members


145


and female clasping members


146


. Further, it should be noted that circular processing drum


14


may also consist of a single component as oppose to two circular components as shown in

FIG. 3

, although such a design may add manufacturing cost to circular processing drum


14


. Circular processing drum


14


further comprises a film cartridge loading area


147


on an outer surface of side wall


143


for loading film directly from a film cartridge into circular processing drum


14


, such as with APS film. Circular processing drum


14


also comprises a film input slot


148


, which enables the entry and exit of film into circular processing drum


14


.





FIG. 4

depicts an exemplary disk


30


, which is positioned within circular processing drum


14


, and functions to convey film within circular processing drum


14


once the film enters through film input slot


148


. Disk


30


includes a first face


31


, a second face


32


, a central access opening


33


, an outer perimeter


34


, and one or more sets of disk teeth


35


located along outer perimeter


34


of disk


30


. As with circular processing drum


14


, a portion of drum and disk drive mechanism


25


may extend into central access opening


33


to engage with and cause rotation of disk


30


.

FIG. 5

provides a close-up view of a portion of disk


30


, and in particular, outer perimeter


34


and a set of disk teeth


35


on the outer perimeter


34


of disk


30


. The outermost points of disk teeth


35


are in close proximity to an inner surface of side wall


143


of circular processing drum


14


. In a feature of the invention, disk teeth


35


could be spring loaded through the use of springs


35




a.






In one feature of the present invention, a roller arrangement


27


(

FIGS. 6 and 7

) is positioned within circular processing drum


14


. Roller arrangement


27


includes a roller


270


having interengaging members


277


and


278


(FIG.


7


). Roller arrangement


27


may be supported by a support member


28


, which is attached to a support member base


29


. Support member base


29


may be permanently or temporarily attached to base housing member


12


(shown in FIGS.


1


and


2


). Roller arrangement


27


includes a motor


271


, which provides motion to pistons


272


through openings


273


in a fixed positioning member


274


. Pistons


272


proceed through stationary positioning support member


276


and are attached to movable positioning support member


275


. As pistons


272


move, movable positioning support member


275


which is coupled to member


277


separates from stationary positioning support member


276


which is coupled to member


278


. This permits roller


270


to be expandible between a first width when the members


277


and


278


overlap each other and a second width larger than the first width (

FIG. 7

) when the members


277


and


278


move away from each other.





FIG. 7

provides a detailed view of roller arrangement


27


and its various components. As shown in

FIG. 7

, movable positioning support member


275


and stationary positioning support member


276


connect to interengaging members


277


and


278


respectively as described above. During use, the film passes between roller


270


and an interior surface of drum


14


. Roller


270


is freely rotatable and maintains the film flat along the lower portion of drum


14


. As will be described later, roller


270


further provides an agitating feature within processing drum


14


during processing. Additionally, the width of roller


270


is adjustable as described above to accommodate a shorter width film (i.e. APS film) and a larger width film (i.e. 35 mm film). Further, roller arrangement


27


including roller


270


can be vertically adjustable to accommodate for film curl as the film passes between roller


270


and the interior surface of drum


14


. As a still further option, roller


270


can be spring loaded so as to accommodate any variation in the interior surface of drum


14


.




In a further embodiment of the present invention, circular processing drum


14


is connected to a drum and disk drive mechanism


25


, which selectively rotates disk


30


relative to drum


14


to position and convey the film along and within processing drum


14


, and rotates both disk


30


and drum


14


together during a processing cycle. Circular processing drum


14


rotates about an axis of symmetry. An exemplary drum and disk drive mechanism


25


is shown in FIG.


8


. Drum and disk drive mechanism


25


cooperates with a motor


22


, a belt


23


, and a pulley


24


as shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9A

. Drum and disk drive mechanism


25


includes a drive shaft


261


which is operationally connected to pulley


24


. Also shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9A

are flanges


251


and


252


. Flange


251


is connected to drum


14


while an end cap


300


holds disk


30


for rotation about drive shaft


261


(FIG.


9


A). Actuation of motor


22


drives belt


23


which in turn drives pulley


24


. This in turn causes a rotation of drive shaft


261


which rotates disk


30


. Clutch mechanism


250


enables the engagement and disengagement of flange


251


to provide selective rotation to circular processing drum


14


.





FIG. 9A

displays a cross-sectional view of drum and disk drive mechanism


25


and clutch mechanism


250


along line


9


A—


9


A in FIG.


8


. With reference to FIG.


9


A and

FIG. 9B

which is a schematic representation of the driving and clutching feature of the present invention, an operation will now be described. When loading film which will be described with reference to

FIGS. 10 and 11

, clutch


250


is deactivated as shown in FIG.


9


B. In this state, rotation of motor


22


will cause a rotation of drive shaft


261


and accordingly, a rotation of disk


30


relative to drum


14


. This is due to the fact that clutch


250


is deactivated and therefore, drum


14


is not rotated. This permits the conveyance of the film by rotation of disk


30


to a desired location within drum


14


. After the film reaches the desired location within drum


14


, clutch


250


is activated, (for example, clutch


250


is moved to the right in

FIG. 9B

) by actuating clutch


250


with flange


251


which is attached to drum


14


. Therefore, a rotation of motor


22


will cause a rotation of both disk


30


and drum


14


. This occurs during the processing stages to process the film in a manner which will be described later.




In a further feature of the invention, drive shaft


261


can be moved perpendicularly and through flange


251


and flange


252


to move disk


30


attached thereto. As shown in

FIG. 9A

, drive shaft


261


is attached to a fitting


264


in a manner which permits drive shaft


261


to rotate relative to fitting


264


. Fitting


264


is in turn rotatably attached to a pivotable arm


262


and a movable member


263


. Movable member


263


can be operationally connected to a motor for rotation of member


263


. This causes arm


262


to pivot about point


262


′ to move drive shaft


261


to the left or right when viewing

FIG. 9A

from above the page. Movement of drive shaft


261


as noted above, moves disk


30


in a direction parallel to an axis of disk


30


. This facilitates the accommodation of, for example, 35 mm and APS film on disk


30


, since the disk


30


can be moved based on the type of film being processed.




Within the context of the present invention, a film may be loaded into circular processing drum


14


by a number of methods. One method of loading film, such as APS film, into circular processing drum


14


is shown in

FIGS. 10-13

. As shown in

FIG. 10

, film cartridge


40


comprising a film cartridge spool


41


and film cartridge door opening mechanism


52


is positioned in a film cartridge loading area


147


located on side wall


143


of circular processing drum


14


. Film (not shown) exiting film cartridge


40


enters circular processing drum


14


at light tight film input slot


148


(

FIG. 3

) in side wall


143


of circular processing drum


14


.




Once film cartridge


40


is positioned in film cartridge loading area


147


, the photographic processor


10


of the present invention initiates a number of film-loading and conveying steps, the results of which are shown in FIG.


11


. It is noted that the film loading and conveying steps as well as other processing steps can be controlled by a computer or central processing unit


2000


(

FIG. 1

) operationally associated with processor


10


. In a first step, a film cartridge stabilizing member


50


applies an amount of pressure onto an upper surface of film cartridge


40


to prevent film cartridge


40


from moving while positioned in film cartridge loading area


147


. Spool engaging member


51


and cartridge door opening mechanism engaging member


52


move toward film cartridge


40


and engage with film cartridge spool


41


and film cartridge door


42


, respectively. Door opening mechanism engaging member


52


opens film cartridge mechanism


42


and spool engaging member


51


begins to rotate film cartridge spool


41


, forcing film (not shown) out of film cartridge


40


.





FIG. 12

shows a strip of film


43


exiting film cartridge


40


and entering film input slot


148


of circular processing drum


14


. Driven nip rollers


150


grasp a leading edge of the strip of film


43


at drum roller nip point


151


and advance film


43


further into circular processing drum


14


. As shown in

FIG. 13

, the strip of film


43


exits drum cavity slot


152


and enters into the drum processing cavity


1521


of circular processing drum


14


, wherein one or more sets of disk teeth


35


on disk


30


interengage with holes or perforations along an edge of the strip of film


43


. As previously described, disk teeth


35


could be spring loaded so as to spring up at the appropriate time and interengage with the holes or perforations along film


43


. With clutch


250


disengaged, disk


30


and rollers


150


are rotated while circular processing drum


14


remains stationary. This causes film


43


to advance into the processing cavity


1521


of circular processing drum


14


a desired distance equal to the length of the strip or roll of film


43


. As shown in

FIGS. 10-13

, in this film-loading method of the present invention, the film


43


remains intact with film cartridge


40


.




A number of commercially available films may be loaded according to the film-loading method described above, namely, wherein the film remains intact with its corresponding film cartridge during processing. A suitable film, which may be used in this particular film-loading method, includes, but is not limited to, APS film. Desirably, APS film is loaded into the photographic processor of the present invention according to this method.





FIG. 14

depicts circular processing drum


14


fully loaded with film


43


having a forward end


431


and a rearward end


432


within the drum processing cavity


1521


of circular processing drum


14


. The back end of film


43


is maintained in cartridge


40


. Film


43


is now positioned within circular processing drum


14


for chemical processing, wherein one or more processing fluids are deposited into circular processing drum


14


and placed in contact with film


43


for a desired period of time.




It is noted that the circumference of the drum will be longer than the length of the film to be processed. Therefore, when the film is loaded in drum


14


, a section of drum


14


will not have film therein. This is referred to as a film-free zone


431


′ (FIG.


14


). Prior to delivering chemistry by way of chemical supply


16


and a chemical delivery mechanism


16


′ (FIG.


14


), clutch


250


is activated or engaged and drum


14


is controllably rotated with disk


30


so that film-free zone


431


′ is at a lower end or below chemical delivery mechanism


16


′. Chemical delivery mechanism


16


′ is preferably of the type which drops or delivers chemistry into drum


14


in the direction of arrow


1600


(FIG.


14


). The movement of film-free zone to an area below chemical delivery mechanism


16


′ prior to the delivery of chemicals prevents the chemicals from being dropped directly on the film which could cause uneven processing. Thereafter, processing occurs by continuously rotating the drum


14


and disk


30


. Further, as shown in

FIG. 14

, in the lower portion of drum


14


, film


43


passes between wheel


270


and an inner surface of drum


14


. Rotation of drum


14


and disk


30


relative to wheel


270


helps to agitate the processing fluid in the vicinity of wheel


270


to promote processing. Following the chemical processing steps, the film


43


is removed from circular processing drum


14


and exposed to a drying operation. One method of removing film


43


from circular processing drum


14


is shown in

FIGS. 15A and 15B

.




As shown in

FIG. 15A

, film transfer arm assembly


60


is positioned to move or pivot between circular processing drum


14


and dryer


17


. Film transfer arm assembly


60


includes a lower arm member


61


, which is rotatable around an axis of symmetry


153


of circular processing drum


14


. Film transfer arm assembly


60


also includes an upper arm member


62


, which is pivotally attached to lower arm member


61


. At upper arm member end


63


, film transfer arm assembly


60


includes a film cartridge gripper


64


and film strip gripper rolls


65


. As shown in

FIG. 15B

, which is a front view of the entrance of dryer


17


, a side wall of dryer


17


includes a slot


1700


with a rubber seal that extends along the length of the dryer. Upper arm member


62


includes a shaft


620


which extends from upper arm member


62


, through slot


1700


and is connected to gripper


64


. This permits transfer arm assembly


60


to pull gripper


64


and thus the film to be dried though the dryer.




In embodiments wherein the film


43


remains intact with film cartridge


40


(as described above), film cartridge gripper


64


of film transfer arm assembly


60


engages with film cartridge


40


, pulls film cartridge


40


from loading area


147


and the strip of film


43


from circular processing drum


14


in direction


600




a


, and proceeds through dryer


17


in direction


600




b


. Therefore, cartridge


40


with processed film


43


attached and trailing therefrom is conveyed through dryer


17


to dry film


43


by, for example, the blowing of air into dryer


17


. In other embodiments where the film


43


is detached from film cartridge


40


(described below), film sheet gripper rolls


65


grip an edge of film


43


as film


43


exits film input slot


148


of circular processing drum


14


. Film sheet gripper rolls


65


of film transfer arm assembly


60


pull film


43


from circular processing drum


14


and proceeds through dryer


17


. Once dried, film


43


is re-wound back into its cartridge


40


prior to proceeding to scanner


18


′.




In a further film-loading method of the present invention, the film is separated from its film cartridge prior to processing within circular processing drum


14


(for example, 35 mm film). In this method, a film loading/unloading device, such as exemplary film loading/unloading device


15


as shown in

FIG. 16

, may be used. Film loading/unloading device


15


includes a film cartridge loading area


154


, which can be enclosed by closing a door


158


. In film loading area


154


, an operator extracts the tongue of film


43


′ from cartridge


40


′ and engages the perforations on film


43


′ with sprockets on a driven roller


1570


. Thereafter door


158


is closed and film


43


′ proceeds into festoon box


155


through festoon box nip rollers


156


. Once a desired length of film is removed from film cartridge


40


′, a cutter


157


slices film


43


′ to separate film


43


′ from film cartridge


40


′. Any counter device (not shown) may be used to measure the length of the strip of film


43


′ passing through festoon box nip rollers


156


. The length measurement is used in further processing steps as described below.





FIG. 17

depicts a cross-sectional view of film loading/unloading device


15


as seen along line


17





17


in FIG.


16


. As shown in

FIG. 17

, film cartridge


40


′ is positioned in film cartridge loading area


154


while a strip of film


43


′ is removed from film cartridge


40


′ and transported to festoon box


155


where it is turned. In this film-loading operation, a reverse roll of film


431


is formed from the film


43


′ in festoon box


155


. A lead end of film


432


becomes the innermost portion of the reverse roll


431


while a tail end of film


433


becomes the outermost portion of reversed roll


431


. When the film


43


′ is subsequently fed into circular processing drum


14


(as previously described), tail end


433


, which contains the last exposures on the strip of film


43


′, is fed into circular processing drum


14


first.




A film-loading guide


159


is used to load reverse roll


431


into circular processing drum


14


as shown in FIG.


18


. Festoon box


155


rotates from an initial position (as shown in

FIGS. 16 and 17

) to a film-loading position as shown in FIG.


18


. Festoon box nip rollers


156


turn to advance tail end


433


of reverse roll


431


into film-loading guide


159


at guide entrance slot


1591


. The film


43


′ exits the film-loading guide


159


at guide exit slot


1592


positioned adjacent to film input slot


148


of circular processing drum


14


. Once the tail end


433


of the strip of film


43


′ enters into circular processing drum


14


, driven nip rollers


150


grab the film


43


′ and advance the film


43


′ into circular processing drum


14


as described above. It should be noted that in this film-loading method, nip rollers


150


are programmed to advance the film


43


′ into circular processing drum


14


a specific length, which corresponds to the length of film inputted into festoon box


155


and measured via festoon box nip rollers


156


as described above. In other words, nip rollers


150


advance the strip of film


43


′ into circular processing drum


14


so that lead end


432


of film


43


′ remains nipped between nip rollers


150


during chemical processing (i.e., lead end


432


of the strip of film


43


′ does not enter into drum processing cavity


1521


). This permits all of the exposed areas of the film


43


′ to be in the processing area in the drum.




Following the chemical processing steps, film


43


′ is transferred to dryer


17


by film transfer arm assembly


60


as described above. As shown in

FIG. 19

, the strip of film


43


′ is pulled from circular processing drum


14


through film input slot


148


by film sheet gripper rolls


65


attached to upper transfer arm member


62


. Nip rollers


150


provide a first end (corresponding to lead end


432


) to film sheet gripper rolls


65


. In

FIG. 19

, film sheet gripper rolls


65


are shown positioned at dryer entrance


171


. From this position, film sheet gripper rolls


65


proceed through dryer


17


pulling the film


43


′ through dryer


17


. As shown in

FIG. 20

, upper film transfer arm member


62


exits dryer


17


at dryer exit


173


and comes into contact with a conduit


70


. Film sheet gripper rolls


65


turn to advance the film


43


′ through conduit


70


and into scanner festoon box


71


. Scanner festoon box nip rollers


72


grasp a leading edge of film


43


′ and force film


43


′ into scanner festoon box


71


forming scanner film roll


435


. Scanner festoon box nip rollers


72


advance film


43


′ into scanner festoon box


71


a specific distance equal to the predetermined length of film


43


′ so that the tail end of film


43


′ remains nipped between scanner festoon box nip rollers


72


to go to the scanner.




In one embodiment of the present invention, film


43


′ may be further processed by transporting the film


43


′ to scanner


18


′. As shown in

FIG. 21

, scanner festoon box


71


rotates from an initial position (as shown in

FIG. 20

) to a secondary position so that the film


43


′ may be fed to scanner


18


′. Scanner


18


′ may supply image data to computer


2000


or a remote computer (not shown) for further image processing. Following scanning, the film


43


′ may be packaged as a film roll or as strips of film and returned to the customer along with scanned photographs in electronic format on an electronic disc if desired.




A number of commercially available films may be loaded according to the film-loading method described above, namely, wherein the film is separated from its corresponding film cartridge during processing. Suitable films, which may be used in this particular film-loading method, include, but are not limited to, 135 mm film. Desirably, 135 mm film is loaded into the photographic processor of the present invention according to this method.




The photographic processor of the present invention may be used to process one or more types of film. Suitable films include, but are not limited to, APS film, 135 mm film, etc. Desirably, the photographic processor of the present invention is designed to process APS film, 135 mm film, or both APS and 135 mm film. The photographic processor of the present invention may be categorized as a “single-roll” processing unit given that the circular processing drum only processes one roll of film at a time. However, it should be noted that the photographic processor of the present invention is capable of processing multiple rolls of film at a given time. For example, one roll of film may be in the circular processing drum, while a second roll of film is in the dryer and a third roll of film is in the scanner.




The photographic processor of the present invention may include other components other than those described in

FIGS. 1-21

. For example, the photographic processor of the present invention may include an operator interface control panel operationally associated with computer


2000


(FIG.


1


); a display screen; a control unit, wherein the control unit accepts input from a processor user, provides machine settings to one or more components of the processor based on the input of the user, and controls and executes a processing operation of the processor; and multiple film loading doors on an outer surface of the photographic processor housing. In one desired embodiment of the present invention, the photographic processor is used to process APS film and 135 mm film. In this embodiment, the photographic processor has two separate film loading doors on an outer surface of the photographic processor housing, one for an APS film cartridge and the other for a 135 mm film cartridge.




The photographic processor of the present invention may come in a variety of sizes depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the desired size of the circular processing drum, the desired storage capacity of the chemical delivery system, and the desired storage capacity of the waste collection reservoir. One of the benefits of the photographic processor of the present invention is the ability to place the photographic processor in a given room without occupying a large amount of space.




Another benefit of the photographic processor of the present invention is that the only requirement necessary to operate the photographic processor in a given room is a source of electricity. Since the photographic processor of the present invention can operate with working strength chemistry, the processor does not require a water source or drain for processing chemicals. A minimum amount of processing chemicals is needed to operate the photographic processor of the present invention due to the unique design of the circular processing drum. Further, a minimum amount of chemical waste is generated due to the design of the circular processing drum.




The circular processing drum of the photographic processor may vary in size depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the type of film processed, the length of the film processed, the width of the film processed, and the desired overall dimensions of the photographic processor. In one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the drum (i.e., the dimension perpendicular to the diameter of the drum) is substantially equal to the sum of (1) a thickness of the front wall of the drum, (2) a thickness of the back wall of the drum, and (3) a width of the strip of processible film. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the drum has a circumference, which is slightly greater than largest length of the roll film.




In one embodiment of the present invention, the photographic processor comprises (1) a circular processing drum having a front wall, a back wall, a side wall connecting the front wall to the back wall and extending around a perimeter of the drum, and a horizontally extending axis of symmetry, wherein the diameter of the drum is greater than a length of the drum, which is measured along the axis of symmetry; (2) a disk positioned inside the drum in a plane parallel to both the front wall and the back wall, wherein the disk comprises one or more sets of disk teeth along an outer perimeter of the disk capable of interengaging with holes along a first edge of a sheet of processible film; and (3) a mechanism for rotating the disk while the drum is stationary. The mechanism for rotating the disk may be capable of rotating the disk and the drum simultaneously, or selectively rotating only the disk. The mechanism for rotating the disk may comprise a number of components including, but not limited to, a motor, a clutch, and a drive axis, wherein the drive axis is positioned along the axis of symmetry of the drum.




The circular processing drum and/or the disk may be rotated at a speed depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the type of film, the size of the circular processing drum, the desired amount of contact time between each of the one or more processing solutions and the roll of film, and the desired speed at which film is introduced into the circular processing drum.




In a further embodiment of the present invention, the photographic processor comprises a circular processing drum, wherein the circular processing drum comprises a disk having one or more sets of teeth. The one or more sets of teeth interengage with holes along the film to pull the film into the circular processing drum.




The photographic processor of the present invention may use any conventional chemical delivery system known in the art as long as the chemical delivery system is capable of inputting one or more processing fluids into the circular processing drum. Suitable chemical delivery systems deliver one or more processing fluids including, but not limited to, a developing solution, a bleach solution, a fix solution, a wash solution, or a combination thereof. Desirably, the chemical delivery system comprises one or more separate containers for each of the processing fluids. For example, the chemical delivery system may comprise one or more separate containers containing a developing solution, one or more separate containers containing a bleach solution, one or more separate containers containing a fix solution, and one or more separate containers containing awash solution. In one embodiment of the present invention, the chemical delivery system used in the photographic processor comprises one container of developing solution, one container of bleach solution, one container of fix solution, and at least one container of wash solution.




Desirably, the photographic processor of the present invention utilizes a chemical delivery system comprising “working strength” chemical solutions. As used herein, the term “working strength” is used to describe chemical solutions, which are prepackaged in separate containers at concentrations that do not require dilution with other solutions (i.e., a source of water), and can be used as is.




Further, the photographic processor of the present invention may use any conventional chemical removal system to remove one or more processing fluids from the circular processing drum. Suitable chemical removal systems include, but are not limited to, a suction device or a drain


3000


(

FIG. 14

) in the side wall of the circular processing drum. Typically, the chemical removal system further comprises a chemical waste reservoir


3002


(

FIG. 14

) for storing one or more processing fluids removed from the drum. Desirably, the chemical waste reservoir is designed to contain all of the waste resulting from the use of all of the processing fluids contained in the chemical delivery system.




As discussed above, the photographic processor of the present invention uses a minimum amount of photoprocessing chemicals, and consequently generates a minimum amount of chemical waste.




The dryer of the invention should be capable of drying the processed film. The dryer may use air and/or radiant heat to dry the processed film. Desirably, the dryer has a capacity, which minimizes the amount of dwell time within the dryer. Also, it is preferable that the dryer be compact and positioned next to the circular processing drum as shown in

FIGS. 1-2

above.




The photographic processor of the present invention may include a film-loading device, wherein the film loading device comprises one or more of the following components: (a) a film cartridge stabilizing bar for fixing a position of a film cartridge in a film cartridge loading area on an outer surface of the side wall; (b) a film cartridge door opening device; (c) a film cartridge spool turning device; (d) a festoon box for storing film removed from a film cartridge; (e) a cutting device for cutting film to separate the film from a film cartridge; and (i) a festoon box nip rollers for gripping film. Desirably, the film-loading device comprises all of the above components.




In a further desired embodiment of the present invention, the photographic processor comprises (1) a circular processing drum having a front wall, a back wall, a side wall connecting the front wall to the back wall and extending around a perimeter of the drum, and a horizontally extending axis of symmetry, wherein the diameter of the drum is greater than a length of the drum, which is measured along the axis of symmetry of the drum; (2) a disk positioned inside the drum in a plane parallel to both the front wall and the back wall, wherein the disk comprises one or more sets of disk teeth along an outer perimeter of the disk capable of interengaging with holes along a an edge of a strip of processible film; and (3) a disk positioning device, wherein the disk positioning device moves the disk within the drum to change a distance between the disk and the front wall of the drum. The photographic processor may further comprise a mechanism (a) for rotating the disk and the drum simultaneously, and (b) for rotating the disk while the drum is stationary.




The present invention is further directed to a photographic process, wherein the process comprises the steps of: (1) loading a sheet of processible film into a circular processing drum, wherein the circular processing drum comprises (a) a front wall, (b) a back wall, (c) a side wall connecting the front wall to the back wall and extending around a perimeter of the drum, and (d) a horizontally extending axis of symmetry, wherein the drum has a diameter greater than a length of the drum, the length of the drum being measured along the axis of symmetry of the drum, and wherein the drum contains a disk positioned inside the drum in a plane parallel to both the front wall and the back wall, wherein the disk comprises one or more sets of disk teeth along an outer perimeter of the disk capable of interengaging with holes along a first edge of the sheet of processible film; (2) contacting the sheet of processible film with one or more processing fluids in the circular processing drum; (3) rotating the circular processing drum along the axis of symmetry for a period of time; (4) removing the one or more processing fluids from the circular processing drum; and (5) drying the film. In the above method, the loading step may comprise one or more of the following steps: (i) feeding the sheet of processible film into the circular processing drum through a film-loading slot in the side wall of the drum; (ii) nipping the sheet of processible film to move the sheet of processible film into contact with the one or more sets of disk teeth along the disk; and (iii) rotating the disk while the drum remains stationary to advance the sheet of processible film into the circular processing drum.




The photographic process of the present invention may comprise contacting a strip of film with one or more processing fluids selected from a developing solution, a bleach solution, a fix solution, a wash solution, or a combination thereof In one embodiment, the photographic process comprises a contacting step, which comprises (i) inputting a developing solution into the circular processing drum; (ii) inputting a bleach solution into the circular processing drum; (iii) inputting a fix solution into the circular processing drum; and (iv) inputting at least one wash solution into the circular processing drum. The contacting step of the process may further comprise separate removal steps following a washing solution input step. As an alternative, the process may comprise inputting a developing solution into the drum; inputting a fix solution into the drum; inputting a bleach solution into the drum; and inputting at least one wash solution into the drum.




The photographic process of the present invention may further comprise a rotating step, wherein the rotating step comprises rotating the drum and the disk simultaneously. The drum and the disk may be simultaneously rotated after each processing solution input step for a period of time in order to insure a desired amount of contact between each processing solution and the film.




The photographic process of the present invention may comprise a series of processing steps, wherein the film remains intact with its corresponding film cartridge (for example, APS film). In other embodiments, the photographic process of the present invention comprises removing the processible film from a film cartridge (i.e. 35 mm film), and cutting the processible film to separate the processible film from the film cartridge. When the film is to remain intact with its film cartridge (i.e. APS film), the photographic process of the present invention may comprise one or more of the following film loading steps: (a) positioning a film cartridge containing the strip of processible film in a film cartridge loading area on an outer surface of the side wall; (b) applying a film cartridge stabilizing bar to an upper surface of the film cartridge to secure the film cartridge; (c) opening a door of the film cartridge; and (d) turning a spool within the film cartridge. When the film is to be separated from its film cartridge (i.e. 35 mm film), the photographic process of the present invention may comprise one or more of the following film loading steps: (a) positioning a film cartridge containing the strip of processible film in a film cartridge loading area adjacent to a festoon box; (b) pulling a tongue on the film from the film cartridge using, for example, a film extraction tool; (c) engaging perforations on the film on a sprocket wheel; (d) transferring the film from the film cartridge to the festoon box to form a roll of film; wherein a last exposure on the film is on an outer portion of the roll of film; and (e) cutting the film to separate the film from the film cartridge.




In a further embodiment, the present invention is directed to a photographic process which comprises moving a disk within a circular processing drum along an axis of symmetry of the drum to change a distance between the disk and a wall, such as the front wall, of the drum. In this embodiment, the photographic process is capable of processing different types of film using the same circular processing drum by adjusting the position of the disk within the circular processing drum.




The described embodiment includes a disk


30


which is movable in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the disk (see for example FIG.


9


A), in order to accommodate and convey, for example, 35 mm and APS film.





FIG. 22

illustrates a further embodiment of a circular processing drum in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiment of

FIG. 22

, the rotatable disk is not movable along the axis of symmetry. That is, in the embodiment of

FIG. 22

, the disk is rotatable as in the previously described embodiment, however, the disk is configured and/or placed within the drum so as to enable the conveyance of at least two different types of film (i.e., APS and 35 mm film).




Referring now specifically to

FIG. 22

, a circular processing drum


1400


is shown in sectional view, Circular processing drum


1400


includes a first wall


1410


, a second wall


1412


and a side wall


1414


which connects first wall


1410


to the second wall


1412


, and extends around the perimeter of drum


1400


. A disk


3000


is rotatably positioned inside drum


1400


in a plane parallel to both first wall


1410


and second wall


1412


. Similar to disk


30


of

FIGS. 9A and 13

, disk


3000


includes disk teeth around a portion of a periphery thereof. However, rather than a single set of disk teeth, disk


3000


includes a first set of disk teeth


1402




a


and a second set of disk teeth


1402




b.






Processing drum


1400


is generally divided into a first section


1400




a


which includes a first area or film passageway


1405




a


for processing a first type of film (for example, APS film), and a second section


1400




b


which includes a second area or film passageway


1405




b


for processing a second type of film (for example, 35 mm film) which is different from the first type of film.




With reference to first section


1400




a


, as illustrated in

FIG. 22

, first film passageway


1405




a


for processing the first type film, includes a roller


2700




a


similar to roller


27


of FIG.


7


. However, roller


2700




a


is located at first area or film passageway


1405




a


. As also shown in

FIG. 22

, a groove


1401




a


is positioned in first section


1400




a


, such that during film conveyance, one side of the first type of film will fit within groove


1401




a


, while perforations or holes on the opposite side of the first type of film will be interengaged with disk teeth


1402




a.






With reference to second section


1400




b


of drum


1400


, a roller


2700




b


is located at second area or film passageway


1405




b


. A groove


1401




b


is positioned at second section


1400




a


, such that during film conveyance, one side of the second type of film will fit within groove


1401




b


, while holes or perforations on the opposite side of the second type of film will be interengaged with disk teeth


1402




b.






As shown in

FIG. 23

, circular processing drum


1400


is similar to processing drum


14


of

FIG. 3

, however, circular processing drum


1400


is in the form of a side by side arrangement that defines two circular processing paths


1405




a


and


1405




b


(

FIG. 22

) which are in respective adjacent parallel planes. As also shown in

FIG. 23

, circular processing drum


1400


comprises a first film cartridge loading area


1470




a


and a second film cartridge loading area


1470




b.






With reference to first film cartridge loading area


1470




a


, similar to loading area


147


of processing drum


14


, loading area


1470




a


permits a loading of a first type of film (APS film) directly from a film cartridge into circular processing drum


1400


. Further, like film input slot


148


of circular processing drum


14


, circular processing drum


1400


includes a film input slot


1480




a


, for permitting the entry and exit of the first type of film into and from circular processing drum


1400


.




Therefore, when it is desired to process a first type of film, a film cartridge


4000


is positioned at film cartridge loading area


1470




a


. At this point, processing drum


1400


initiates a number of film/loading and conveying steps similar to the loading and conveying steps described in

FIGS. 10-14

. Within the context of the present invention, the preferable film for the first type of film is APS film.




More specifically, and with reference to

FIG. 23

, once a first type of film


4300


is introduced via input slot


1480




a


, film


4300


will travel within first processing area or processing path


1405




a


. More specifically, during the film loading steps, in the same manner as described with reference to processing drum


14


, disk


3000


is controllably rotated so that disk teeth


1402




a


engages perforations or holes on one end of film


4300


, while the other end of film


4300


will be positioned in groove


1401


a. Film


4300


while in processing path


1405




a


will also pass between roller


2700




a


and an inner surface of drum


1400


. Rotation of drum


1400


and disk


3000


in a manner similar to the rotation of drum


14


and disk


30


help to agitate the processing fluid in the vicinity of wheel


2700




a


to promote processing. Thus, the chemical processing steps for processing drum


1400


are similar to the processing steps of drum


14


as described with reference to

FIGS. 10-14

.




Following the chemical processing steps which is done in a manner similar to the previously described embodiment, film


4300


is removed from circular processing drum


1400


and exposed to a drying operation. The removal of film


4300


from processing drum


1400


is done a manner similar to the embodiment of

FIG. 1

as shown in FIG.


15


A. That is,

FIG. 23

shows a state where cartridge


4000


has been removed from first film loading area


1470




a


by way of a film transfer assembly similar to film transfer assembly


60


described with reference to

FIG. 15A

, and placed at the entrance of a dryer


1700


. Dryer


1700


is similar to dryer


17


of the first embodiment.




In the embodiment of

FIGS. 22 and 23

, film


4300


remains attached to film cartridge


4000


as with APS film, and the film transfer arm assembly (similar to the film transfer arm assembly


60


of

FIG. 15A

) will pull film cartridge


4000


from loading area


1470




a


, and film


4300


from circular processing drum


1400


through dryer


1700


which is sized to receive various types of film. Further, similar to the previous embodiment, once dried, film


4300


is rewound back into cartridge


4000


prior to proceeding to, for example, a scanner.




The above describes the processing of a first type of film, and preferably APS film within processing drum


1400


.




If it is desired to process a second type of film such as 35 mm film within processing drum


1400


, second film loading area


1470




b


and second film processing path


1405




b


is utilized. Since the second type of film is preferably 35 mm film, a film loading and unloading device as illustrated in

FIGS. 16-18

is used. That is, a film loading and unloading device


15


as shown in

FIG. 16

which extracts film from a second type of film cartridge, and more specifically a 35 mm film cartridge, and winds the film into a festoon box is used. The festoon box which is similar to festoon box


155


shown in

FIG. 18

can be placed in a film loading position at film loading area


1470




a


, so as to introduce the second type of film into second film input slot


1480




b


. More specifically, the loading of the second type of film into processing drum


1400


via second loading area


1470




b


and input slot


1480




b


is similar to the loading method shown in

FIGS. 16-18

for 35 mm film.




In the embodiment of

FIGS. 22-24

, the second type of film is conveyed into second film processing path or area


1405




b


, which is in a plane that is parallel to first processing path or area


1405




a


. Therefore, once introduced into slot


1480




b


, film


4300


′ (

FIG. 24

) travels through second film processing path


1405




b


and between roller


2700




b


and an inner surface of processing drum


1400


(FIG.


22


). When introduced into slot


1480




a


, in a manner similar to the previously described embodiments, disk


3000


is controllably rotated so as to bring second disk teeth


1402




b


into engagement with perforations or holes on one side of second type of film


4300


′. At the same time, the opposite side of second type of film


4300


′ travels through groove


1401




b


. Thereafter, the second type of film is positioned by way of the controlled rotation of disk


3000


in a similar manner to the previously described embodiments, and chemically processed by rotating the disk and drum simultaneously in a similar manner to the first embodiment.




Following the chemical processing steps, the second type of film is transferred to dryer


1700


by a transfer arm assembly similar to transfer arm assembly


60


described in

FIGS. 15A-15B

and


19


. That is, as shown in

FIG. 24

, film


4300


′ is pulled from circular processing drum


1400


through film input slot


1480




b


by film sheet gripper rollers similar to film grip sheet gripper rollers


65


attached to an upper transfer arm as shown in FIG.


19


. The film sheet gripper rollers, in a similar manner as shown in

FIG. 19

, essentially will pull second type of film


4300


′ through dryer


1700


and transfer the dried film into a scanner festoon box for further processing similar to the process described in

FIGS. 19

,


20


and


21


.





FIG. 25

illustrates a further embodiment of a processing drum in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment of

FIG. 25

differs from the embodiment of

FIG. 24

with respect to the structure of the disk. More specifically, processing drum


1400


′ of

FIG. 25

includes a disk


3000


′ which is positioned substantially in a central location of drum


1400


′. The placement of disk


3000


′ at the center of drum


1400


′, essentially divides drum


1400


′ into a first section


1400




a


′ which includes a first processing path


1405




a


′, and a second section


1400




b


′ which includes a second processing path


1405




b


′. Each of the first and second processing paths


1405




a


′ and


1405




b


′ are circular processing paths which are respectively positioned in parallel planes. Like the first two embodiments, disk


3000


′ includes disk teeth around a portion of an outer periphery thereof. In the embodiment of

FIG. 25

, disk


3000


′ includes first disk teeth


1402




a


′ on one side of disk


3000


′, and second disk teeth


1402




b


′ on a second side of a disk


3000


′.




The combination of first disk teeth


1402




a


′ and a groove


1401




a


′ in the vicinity of first processing path


1405




a


′, are used to convey a first type of film along first processing path


1405




a


′. The combination of second disk teeth


1402




b


′ and a groove


1401




b


′ in the vicinity of second processing path


1405




b


′,are used to convey a second type of film along second processing path


1405




b′.






Drum


1400


′ further includes a first roller


2700




a


′ located at first processing path


1405




a


′ and a second roller


2700




b


′ located at second processing path


1405




b


′. First and second rollers


2700




a


′,


2700




b


′ are on opposing sides of disk


3000


′.




During use of processing drum


1400


′ of

FIG. 25

, when it is desired to process a first type of film such as APS film, the first type of film is loaded onto a loading area on the drum (see for example, loading area


1470




a


of drum


1400


of FIG.


24


). Once the first type of film enters an input slot of the drum, the film catches the first set of disk teeth


1402




a


′, and is guided within groove


1401




a


′ in a manner similar to the previously described embodiments. Thereafter, the film is conveyed through first processing path


1405




a


′, and passes between roller


2700




a


′ and an inner surface of processing drum


1400


′ during processing. In the embodiment of

FIG. 25

, disk


3000


′ is controllably rotated with respect to and simultaneously with drum


1400


′ in the same manner as disk


30


and disk


3000


as previously described. After processing, the first type of film is removed and dried in a manner similar to the film drying process as described with reference to processing drum


1400


and processing drum


1400


′.




When it is desired to process a second type of film such as 35 mm film, the second type of film is introduced into a second input slot of the drum as described and shown in, for example, FIG.


23


. Once introduced into second film processing path


1405




b


′,the perforations or holes on the second type of film are interengaged with disk teeth


1402




b


′, while the other side of the film travels within groove


1401




b


′. Thereafter, disk


3000


′ is controllably rotated with respect to and simultaneously with processing drum


1400


′ in the same manner as described with respect to processing drums


14


and


1400


′. As the film is conveyed through processing drum


1400


′, it is passed between roller


2700




b


′ and the inner surface of processing drum


1400


′, which enhances the agitating effect of the processing solution for processing. Thereafter, the second type of film is removed and dried in a similar manner as described with reference to processing drum


14


and processing drum


1400


′.




Therefore, with reference to the embodiments of

FIGS. 22 and 25

, circular disks


3000


and


3000


′ are each designed to transport both first and second types of film, such as for example APS and 35 mm film, without having to be shifted along a rotational axis of the disk. Disk


30


of the first embodiment includes a shifting member to accommodate 35 mm and APS film.




Also, with the arrangement of

FIGS. 22 and 25

with respect to disks


3000


and


3000


′, it is assured that the exact or appropriate amount or volume of chemistry or processing solution will be used for processing APS film and 35 mm film. That is, by having first and second processing paths with the combination of disk


3000


or disk


3000


′ as shown, it is possible to supply the exact amount of solution when processing APS film in the APS processing path and when processing 35 mm film in the 35 mm processing path. For example and with reference to

FIG. 22

, it is noted that disk teeth


1402




a


are closer to the rotational axis of disk


3000


than disk teeth


1402




b


. This feature in combination with the positioning and size of disk


3000


defines a first volume for processing path


1403




a


and a second volume for processing path


1403




b


which can be designed to match the exact or appropriate volume of solution needed for processing APS film and 35 mm film. The embodiment of

FIG. 23

, like

FIG. 22

, also permits the exact or appropriate volume of solution for each type of film to be used. That is, as shown in

FIG. 23

, the placement of disk


3000


′ forms path


1405




a


′ which defines a first volume for receiving solution to process APS film, and path


1405




b


′ which defines a second volume for receiving solution to process 35 mm film.




Further, in the embodiment of

FIG. 22

, disk


3000


is basically a solid body which extends from wall


1412


to an area approximately at the center of the processing drum. Disk


3000


is thus substantially positioned at one of the processing paths. In the example shown, disk


3000


is substantially positioned at second processing path


1405




b


. Because of the area taken up by disk


3000


, a minimum amount of processing solution is utilized in such an arrangement. In the embodiment of

FIG. 22

, disk teeth


1402




a


are provided at a first edge portion of the drum and are located within or adjacent to first processing path


1405




a


of the drum; while disk teeth


1402




b


are located along a second edge portion of the drum and are located within or adjacent to second processing path


1405




b


of the drum. Also, disk teeth


1402




a


are positioned closer to a rotational axis of disk


3000


than disk teeth


1402




b.






In the embodiment of

FIG. 25

, disk


3000


′ which can also be a solid body is positioned approximately at a central area of the processing drum so as to divide the processing drum into a first area


1400




a


′ and a second area


1400




b


′.




While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.




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 photographic processor comprising:a processing drum having a first wall, a second wall, and a side wall connecting the first wall to the second wall, said side wall extending around a perimeter of the drum; a disk positioned inside the drum in a plane parallel to both the first wall and the second wall, wherein the disk comprises a first set of disk teeth capable of interengaging with first holes along an edge of a first type of film, and a second set of disk teeth capable of interengaging with second holes along an edge of a second type of film; and a mechanism for rotating the disk.
  • 2. A photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism is adapted to rotate the disk while the drum is stationary.
  • 3. A photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism is adapted to rotate the disk and the drum simultaneously.
  • 4. A photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein said disk is positioned adjacent to one of said first or second walls.
  • 5. A photographic processor according to claim 4, wherein said disk comprises a solid body which extends from said one of said first or second walls to an area approximately at a center of said processing drum.
  • 6. A photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein said disk is positioned approximately in a central area of said processing drum.
  • 7. A photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein said processing drum comprises a first area which includes a first processing path where said first type of film is processed, and a second area which includes a second processing path where said second type of film is processed, said first area defining a first volume sized to receive an appropriate amount of processing solution to process the first type of film, and said second area defining a second volume sized to receive an appropriate amount of processing solution to process the second type of film.
  • 8. A photographic processor according to claim 7, wherein said disk is substantially positioned in one of said first or second areas.
  • 9. A photographic processor according to claim 7, wherein said disk is positioned between said first and second areas.
  • 10. A photographic processor according to claim 7, wherein said disk includes a first edge portion located within or adjacent to said first area of the processing drum, said first set of disk teeth being positioned along said first edge portion of said disk to convey film along the first processing path, said disk further including a second edge portion located within or adjacent to said second area of the processing drum, said second set of disk teeth being positioned along the second edge portion of said disk to convey film along the second processing path.
  • 11. A photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein one of said first or second set of disk teeth is positioned radially closer to a rotational axis of said processing drum that the other of said first or second set of disk teeth.
  • 12. A photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein said first type of film is at least APS film and said second type of film is at least 35 mm film.
  • 13. A photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein said processing drum comprises a first input section for introducing the first type of film into a first film path in the processing drum, and a second input section for introducing the second type of film into a second film path in the processing drum.
  • 14. A photographic processor according to claim 13, wherein said first and second film paths are circular film paths which are respectively positioned within adjacent parallel planes.
  • 15. A processing device comprising:means for processing a first type of film along a first circular processing path and processing a second type of film along a second circular processing path, wherein said first and second circular processing paths are respectively positioned within adjacent parallel planes; and means for conveying the first and second types film along the respective first and second circular processing paths.
  • 16. A processing apparatus comprising:a circular processing drum having a first film path for processing a first type of film and a second film path for processing a second type of film, said first and second film paths being respectively positioned in parallel planes; and a circular disk positioned inside the drum, said disk comprising a first set of disk teeth capable of interengaging with first holes on the first type of film to convey the first type of film along the first film path, and a second set of disk teeth capable of interengaging with second holes on the second type of film to convey the second type of film along the second film path.
  • 17. A processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first type of film is at least APS film and the second type of film is at least 35 mm film.
  • 18. A method of processing photographic film, the method comprising the steps of:inserting the film into a first processing path or a second processing path of a circular processing drum based on a type of film to be processed, said first processing path being adapted to receive a first type of film and said second processing path being adapted to receive a second type of film which is different from said first type of film; supplying and discharging processing solution into and from said processing drum to process said film; and transferring the processed film from the circular processing drum to a circular drying cylinder.
  • 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said first type of film is at least APS film and said second type of film is at least 35 mm film.
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. patent application Ser. No. 10/027,382 filed Dec. 21, 2001, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSOR AND METHOD OF OPERATION and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/027,381 filed Dec. 21, 2001, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSOR HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE DRUM.

US Referenced Citations (4)
Number Name Date Kind
3792651 Banks Feb 1974 A
4005463 Kowalski Jan 1977 A
4269501 Griffith et al. May 1981 A
4277159 Descotes Jul 1981 A