EP0207896B1 - Film-treating device - Google Patents

Film-treating device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0207896B1
EP0207896B1 EP86810282A EP86810282A EP0207896B1 EP 0207896 B1 EP0207896 B1 EP 0207896B1 EP 86810282 A EP86810282 A EP 86810282A EP 86810282 A EP86810282 A EP 86810282A EP 0207896 B1 EP0207896 B1 EP 0207896B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cassette
film
spool
end cap
housing part
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP86810282A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0207896A1 (en
Inventor
Brian Frank Moss
Richard John Brent
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Novartis AG
Original Assignee
Ciba Geigy AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ciba Geigy AG filed Critical Ciba Geigy AG
Publication of EP0207896A1 publication Critical patent/EP0207896A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0207896B1 publication Critical patent/EP0207896B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G03PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03DAPPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D13/00Processing apparatus or accessories therefor, not covered by groups G11B3/00 - G11B11/00
    • G03D13/02Containers; Holding-devices
    • G03D13/04Trays; Dishes; Tanks ; Drums
    • G03D13/06Light-tight tanks with provision for loading in daylight

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for the treatment of exposed photographic film material, and in particular to the device described in the preamble of claim 1.
  • photographic films are usually marketed in a film cassette wound on a spool. After exposure of the film in a camera, the cassette with the exposed film wound therein is removed from the camera and opened in the dark. The leading non-photosensitive end of the film is trimmed and the film is then wound onto an open spiral that holds the film in place along its long edges. As soon as the film is usually completely wound onto the spiral by hand, the spiral is inserted into a light-tight treatment drum, which is closed with a light-tight lid. Treatment liquid can then be poured into the drum in daylight and removed from the drum again in daylight. After the treatment of the film is complete, the lid is removed from the drum and the treated film is washed therein and then checked.
  • Treatment devices have therefore been proposed several times, in which the loaded cassette can be inserted in daylight, whereupon the film is wound onto a spiral already built into the device.
  • the known devices are complicated to handle, bulky and expensive. They also often require the filling of a relatively large volume of treatment liquid into the treatment tank of the device. Therefore, such devices that can be loaded in daylight have not been used too often in practice.
  • Various methods for daylight treatment are nevertheless described in the patent literature, of which, however, as has been said, has not yet become widespread.
  • the film is loaded into a film holder or a cartridge or cassette of a special type which, however, requires a special camera for exposure since the cartridge does not correspond to the known film cassette which is used today 35mm film is mainly used.
  • U.S. Patents 3,605,601 and 4,001,857 disclose devices in which the film is treated in place in its cassette. In practice, however, a film is treated very unevenly in such processes and does not give satisfactory results.
  • US Pat. No. 4,134,666 describes a film processing system in which a film is applied from a cassette to a spool which is inserted into a light-tight housing. The housing can then be positioned over a number of baths and the film immersed in each of the baths. This system is complicated to use and requires a large number of individual parts for its equipment.
  • US Pat. No. 4,171,055 describes a complicated and expensive apparatus for removing a film spool from a cassette. The film cassette opener described there can e.g. find application in the method described in the introduction, in which a film is wound on a spiral in the usual tank containing it.
  • a device for opening film cassettes is also described in GB-PS 2 067 163, in which the end cap seated over the shorter hub of the cassette is pressed in and is thereby spread apart from the cylinder wall of the cassette by a hammer part from above onto the long hub seated at the upper end of the cassette and then struck with an anvil part to deform the end cap seated at the lower end of the cassette.
  • the end cap gripping device provided therein is stationary and the cassette body held in another part of the device is moved away from the gripping device.
  • the device according to the invention can be used in daylight to unload cassettes in a treatment room provided within the device without being bulky, and although the device does not have a spiral for stretching the film, the treatment results achieved with this device are extremely satisfactory.
  • the cassette body cannot pass through the cassette body holder, since the radially protruding lips of the outlet gap of the cassette prevent this by protruding into the axial groove in the inner wall of the holder and resting on the closed end of the axial groove at their lower end.
  • the holder block holding the cassette body in the upper housing part of the device can be designed such that it holds the cassette body in the central block passage and compressively engages it.
  • the block can consist of two longitudinal halves or can also be designed as an axially slotted cylinder. The cassette is inserted, for example, into the block and this is then pressed firmly into the upper housing part.
  • This version of the holder block offers a very good holder for the cassette body, which is particularly important with crimped end caps.
  • one end of the spool carrying the wound film protrudes considerably from one of the two spool end caps (long hub end of the spool). It is most advantageous if the end cap is pulled off at this hub end, and provision can be made that the cassette can only be inserted into the device with this hub end and not with the opposite end.
  • the end cap gripping device comes into engagement with the lower end cap of the cassette, while the upper housing part is screwed to a lower housing part containing the treatment space.
  • the upper housing part is then closed in a light-tight manner by fitting a cover and then raised by unscrewing it upwards relative to the lower housing part containing the end cap gripping device.
  • the lower end cap is now pulled down from the cassette, while at the same time a cavity forming the treatment space is created below the cassette body holder which is large enough to accommodate the spool with the film wound on it.
  • the spool with the film wound on it is removed from the cassette body by means of the coupling device mentioned, which, as soon as the cassette is stuck in the holding block, enters a recess in the hub of the protruding spool end, one or more, preferably two, in the hub recess of the Insert the axially protruding connecting members firmly into a notch or transverse groove in the front end of this coupling device. Therefore, while the upper case of the device containing the cassette body holder is partially unscrewed from the lower case below it, the end cap is pulled off the cassette by the end cap gripping means and preferably falls and comes down toward the base of the lower case preferably to lie on the coil coupling device.
  • the coil with the film wound thereon is firmly seated at the upper end of the coupling device and can no longer rotate with the cassette body, which at the same time is lifted up from it. If this is done sufficiently far, the spool with the film it carries is completely removed from the cassette body and is located in the lower housing part. Treatment liquid can now be introduced into this and treatment of the film can begin.
  • treatment liquid is introduced into the treatment room through inlet paths described below and the film or the treatment liquid or both is moved in the said room in such a way that the liquid comes into sufficient contact with all areas of the film surface.
  • light-tight channels or passages are provided in the cover and / or in the base plate of the lower housing part; however, an inlet pipe can also be provided in the side wall of the lower housing part.
  • the liquid can also be removed from the treatment room in the same way.
  • the treatment space provided for the absorption of liquid in the lower housing part below the cassette body holder should be so large that it can hold enough liquid to completely treat the film; however, the volume of liquid required for this is much less than that required for most of the spirals.
  • devices are provided at the base of the liquid-absorbing treatment space which allow liquid to enter this space when the device is placed in a container filled with treatment liquid, the lower housing part of the device being deep enough into the Liquid must be immersed in the container in order to completely fill the treatment room with it.
  • the treatment of the film is now carried out while the device remains in the liquid bath. As soon as it is finished, the device is lifted out of the container and the liquid therein flows out of the device back into the liquid bath in the container.
  • the entry and exit paths also include a labyrinth of light that prevents light from entering the device during treatment.
  • the base or base plate of the lower housing part is preferably designed in such a way that the lower end cap, which is separated from the cassette, can be accommodated in the central position.
  • This base or base plate should also preferably be designed so that the hub end of the spool can be supported on it, thereby facilitating the spool turning when the film windings are partially loosened and the film rewound during treatment.
  • a normal 35mm film cassette is shown which, pulled apart along a central axis, comprises two annular end caps B1 and B2 and between them a substantially cylindrical cassette body C with a light-tight lateral film outlet D, which has two axially extending lateral flanges or Has lips D1 and D2, which protrude from the outer wall of the body C in planes running parallel to the central axis and between which there is an open exit slot S for the film.
  • the film exit D is formed by clamping the two shorter end edges of a metal strip forming the cassette body C.
  • the lips D1 and D2 extend somewhat beyond the circumference of the end caps B1 and B2 from the cylinder wall.
  • the cassette body C is intended to hold the film J on the spool E provided with end flanges E 1 and E2, which has a long hub end F and a short hub end G.
  • Axial coupling members H protrude into a recess at the hub end F (only one of which is visible), with the aid of which the coil E is brought into the correct position in the camera.
  • the film J has an end edge K leading in front of the unwinding from the reel E and holes L on its long edges for the engagement of a toothed wheel or similar film transport means.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 a treatment device according to the invention is shown, which comprises a column-shaped upper housing part 1 intended for receiving the cassette and a wider columnar, pot-shaped lower housing part 3, the latter being connected to the upper housing part 1 by means of a light-tight envelope a screw connection 4 is screwed together, which has an external thread 4a at the lower end of the upper housing part 1 and an internal thread 4b at the upper end of the lower housing part 3.
  • a lid 5 fits on the upper end of the housing part 1 and closes it light-tight.
  • the housing parts 1 and 3 and the cover 5 are preferably all made of opaque plastic.
  • the pot-like lower housing part 3 surrounds the upper housing part 1 practically from all sides almost to its upper end, while in another stage of use the lower housing part 3 is screwed downwards, but always still remains connected to the upper housing part 1 in a light-tight manner.
  • a holding block 2 for holding the cassette body C is attached in the upper housing part 1, a holding block 2 for holding the cassette body C is attached.
  • This cassette body holder 2 has a central passage 2a into which the cassette is inserted; but only the lower end cap B1 and the coil with their flanges E1 and E2 can pass through the lower open end 2b of the passage 2a, since the holder block 2 has an axial groove 6 in the passage 2a, the lower end of which is closed and which is of such a nature that that the lips D1, D2 of the film outlet D protrude into the groove 6 and rest on their closed lower end. As a result, the cassette body C is held in the holder block 2.
  • the lower housing part 3 comprises a base plate 7 and has a cylindrical side wall 8 which carries on its inside the internal thread 4b which extends almost over its entire height.
  • a pipe socket 9 On the base plate 7 sits a pipe socket 9, the upper open end of which has a radially inwardly projecting inner ring flange 11.
  • the pipe socket 9 is provided with axial slots 9a, through which its open end can easily be widened by bending apart by means of a downward stretching force.
  • the pipe socket 9 and the clear width of the inner ring flange 11 are dimensioned such that the end cap B1 emerging from the holder block 2 is pressed down under the flange 11 and is then held by it (FIG. 2).
  • the base plate 7 has a central opening 7a, in which a coil coupling element 12 is provided centrally and rotatably with respect to the tube stages 9, which comprises a shaft part or pin 13 which extends upwards through the opening 7a and a transverse slot at its upper end 13a or has a transverse groove 14. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pin 13 extends into the recess of the long hub end F, and the coupling member (s) located therein penetrate into the cross section 14 with a tight fit.
  • a number of liquid passages 17 are also provided in the base plate 7. The incidence of light through the passages 17 into the interior of the lower housing part 3 is prevented by light traps (not shown) of a known type. There is also a central transverse groove 19 in the underside of the coil coupling element 12.
  • the entire device is placed in an outer treatment container or tank 20 which bears an upwardly projecting, elongated transverse nose or similar locking element 21 in the center of its inner bottom surface 20a, which fits into the transverse groove 19.
  • the upper housing part 1 When using the device for treating a film in a cassette, the upper housing part 1 is first completely unscrewed from the lower housing part 3. The cassette with the film fully rolled into it is then inserted into the holder block 2 with the long hub end F pointing downwards. The upper housing part 1 is now closed with the cover 5.
  • the upper housing part 1 is screwed into the lower housing part 3 so that it is light-tight that the coupling members H penetrate the transverse slot 14 in the pin end 13a firmly enough so that not only a rotation of the coil E relative to the coupling element H, but also an axial one Movement of the two parts away from each other when screwing the housing part 1 out of the housing part 3 is prevented.
  • the end cap B1 is pressed into the pipe socket 9, so that the inner ring flange 11 of the pipe socket 9 engages over the edge of the end cap 81.
  • the device is then placed in the cup-shaped container 20 in such a way that the nose 21 at the bottom of the container 20 is fitted into the transverse groove 19, so that when the container 20 is stationary, neither the coil coupling element 12 nor the one via its transverse slot 14 and the coupling members H connected coil S can be rotated when the container 20 is stationary.
  • the container 20 In order to remove the end cap B1 from the cassette body C, the container 20 is held in place and the upper housing part 1 is screwed upwards in the direction from the lower housing part 3.
  • the cassette body holder 2 is lifted upwards away from the pipe socket 9 and its inner ring flange 11 which grips the end cap B1, and the end cap B1 is pulled downwards from the cassette body C and falls into the interior of the pipe socket 9, on the bottom of which they lie around the pin 13 remains (Fig. 3).
  • the coil coupling element 12 pulls the coil E, which is stuck to it, with increasing progressive screwing of the upper housing part 1 downwards out of the cassette body C until it is completely removed from the cassette in the end position shown in FIG. 3 and is located in the interior 10 of the lower housing part 3 is located.
  • the entire device can now be lifted out of the container 20 and filled with the required amount of treatment liquid up to the upper level of the wound film.
  • the device is then put back into the container 20 so that the transverse groove 19 fits onto the nose 21.
  • the treatment liquid then enters through the passages 17 into the lower housing part 3.
  • the coupling element 12 together with the coil E and the film 3 located on it is then set in rotating motion by rotating the container 20 in relation to the lower housing interior 10 and the liquid therein.
  • This causes the film J to spread out, so that its turns on the coil E become looser and away from the central axis of the coil on a truncated cone-shaped intermediate floor 15, which is fastened to the upper end of the pipe socket 9 and surrounds it, after the side wall 8 of the housing part 3 slide down.
  • the lower circumferential edge of the intermediate bottom 15 lies at a distance above the base plate 7 of the housing part 3, so that treatment liquid can fill the interior 10 through the remaining gap to such an extent that it reaches all areas of the film surface.
  • a certain number of rotations of the container 20 in one sense is followed by an equal number of rotations in the opposite sense.
  • the device When the required treatment time of the film in the treatment liquid supplied has elapsed, the device is lifted out of the container 20 and the liquid runs back out of the device into the container. The device can then be placed in another container 20 which is loaded with a different treatment liquid.
  • the device can be removed from the container with the treatment liquid last used and placed in one with wash water. This last step can be repeated as many times as necessary to thoroughly wash the film.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Photographic Developing Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Gerät für die Behandlung von belichtetem photographischem Filmmaterial, und insbesondere das im Oberbegriff des Patentanspruchs 1 beschriebene Gerät.The invention relates to a device for the treatment of exposed photographic film material, and in particular to the device described in the preamble of claim 1.

Heutzutage werden photographische Filme meist in einer Filmkassette auf einer Spule aufgewickelt in den Handel gebracht. Nach der Belichtung des Films in einer Kamera wird die Kassette mit dem darin aufgewickelten belichteten Film aus der Kamera herausgenommen und im Dunkeln geöffnet. Das vorauslaufende nicht lichtempfindliche Endstück des Films wird beschnitten und der Film dann auf eine offene Spirate gewickelt, die den Film an seinen Längskanten festhält. Sobald der Film meist von Hand vollständig auf die Spirale aufgewickelt ist, wird die Spirale in eine lichtdichte Behandlungstrommel eingesetzt, die mit einem ebenfalls lichtdichten Deckel verschlossen wird. In die Trommel kann dann bei Tageslicht Behandlungsflüssigkeit hineingegossen und wieder bei Tageslicht aus der Trommel entfernt werden. Nach beendigter Behandlung des Films wird der Deckel von der Trommel abgenommen und der behandelte Film darin gewaschen und dann geprüft.Nowadays, photographic films are usually marketed in a film cassette wound on a spool. After exposure of the film in a camera, the cassette with the exposed film wound therein is removed from the camera and opened in the dark. The leading non-photosensitive end of the film is trimmed and the film is then wound onto an open spiral that holds the film in place along its long edges. As soon as the film is usually completely wound onto the spiral by hand, the spiral is inserted into a light-tight treatment drum, which is closed with a light-tight lid. Treatment liquid can then be poured into the drum in daylight and removed from the drum again in daylight. After the treatment of the film is complete, the lid is removed from the drum and the treated film is washed therein and then checked.

Jedoch ist das Handhaben der Kassette und des Films im Dunkeln bei Vielen nicht beliebt, und in modernen Wohnungen steht auch kein abgedunkelter Raum zur Verfügung, der hinreichend lichtdicht wäre, um in ihm einen lichtempfindlichen Film aus der Kassette zu entnehmen und auf eine Spirale zu wickeln, ohne die Bildung eines Schleiers auf dem Film zu riskieren.However, handling the cassette and the film in the dark is not popular with many, and there is no darkened room available in modern homes that would be sufficiently light-tight to remove a light-sensitive film from the cassette and wind it on a spiral without risking the formation of a veil on the film.

Es sind daher schon mehrfach Behandlungsgeräte vorgeschlagen worden, in welche die geladene Kassette bei Tageslicht eingesetzt werden kann, worauf der Film auf eine bereits im Gerät eingebaute Spirale gewickelt wird. Doch sind die bekannten Geräte kompliziert in ihrer Handhabung sowie sperrig und teuer. Auch erfordern sie oft das Einfüllen eines verhältnismässig grossen Volumens an Behandlungsflüssigkeit in den Behandlungstank des Geräts. Daher wurde von solchen bei Tageslicht beschickbaren Geräten in der Praxis kein allzu häufiger Gebrauch gemacht. In der Patentliteratur sind gleichwohl verschiedene Verfahren für Tageslichtbehandlung beschrieben, von denen jedoch, wie gesagt, keines weitere Verbreitung gefunden hat. So wird z.B., wie in der US-PS 2 781 708 beschrieben, der Film in einen Filmhalter oder eine Kartusche oder Kassette von speziellem Typ geladen, die jedoch eine Spezialkamera zur Belichtung erfordert, da die Kartusche nicht der bekannten Filmkassette entspricht, die heute für 35-mm Filme hauptsächlich verwendet wird.Treatment devices have therefore been proposed several times, in which the loaded cassette can be inserted in daylight, whereupon the film is wound onto a spiral already built into the device. However, the known devices are complicated to handle, bulky and expensive. They also often require the filling of a relatively large volume of treatment liquid into the treatment tank of the device. Therefore, such devices that can be loaded in daylight have not been used too often in practice. Various methods for daylight treatment are nevertheless described in the patent literature, of which, however, as has been said, has not yet become widespread. For example, as described in US Pat. No. 2,781,708, the film is loaded into a film holder or a cartridge or cassette of a special type which, however, requires a special camera for exposure since the cartridge does not correspond to the known film cassette which is used today 35mm film is mainly used.

In den US-PSen 3 605 601 und 4 001 857 werden Geräte beschrieben, bei denen der Film an Ort und Stelle in seiner Kassette behandelt wird. In der Praxis wird jedoch ein Film bei solchen Verfahren sehr ungleichmässig behandelt und liefert keine zufriedenstellenden Resultate. In der US-PS 4134 666 wird eine Filmverarbeitungsanlage beschrieben, bei der ein Film aus einer Kassette auf eine Spule aufgebracht wird, die in ein lichtdichtes Gehäuse eingeführt wird. Das Gehäuse kann dann über einer Anzahl von Bädem in Stellung gebracht und der Film in jedes der Bäder hineingetaucht werden. Diese Anlage ist kompliziert in ihrer Verwendung und erfordert eine grössere Anzahl Einzelteile zu ihrer Ausrüstung. In der US-PS 4 171 055 wird eine komplizierte und kostspielige Apparatur zum Entfernen einer Filmspule aus einer Kassette beschrieben. Der dort beschriebene Filmkassettenöffner kann z.B. bei dem eingangs beschriebenen Verfahren Anwendung finden, bei dem ein Film auf eine Spirale in dem üblichen diese enthaltenden Tank gewickelt wird.U.S. Patents 3,605,601 and 4,001,857 disclose devices in which the film is treated in place in its cassette. In practice, however, a film is treated very unevenly in such processes and does not give satisfactory results. US Pat. No. 4,134,666 describes a film processing system in which a film is applied from a cassette to a spool which is inserted into a light-tight housing. The housing can then be positioned over a number of baths and the film immersed in each of the baths. This system is complicated to use and requires a large number of individual parts for its equipment. US Pat. No. 4,171,055 describes a complicated and expensive apparatus for removing a film spool from a cassette. The film cassette opener described there can e.g. find application in the method described in the introduction, in which a film is wound on a spiral in the usual tank containing it.

Schliesslich ist auch noch in der GB-PS 2 067 163 ein Gerät zum Öffnen von Filmkassetten beschrieben, bei dem die über der kürzeren Nabe der Kassette sitzende Endkappe eingedrückt und dadurch von der Zylinderwandung der Kassette abgespreizt wird, indem ein Hammerteil von oben an die am oberen Ende der Kassette sitzende lange Nabe herangeführt und darauf mit einem Ambossteil verformend auf die am unteren Kassettenende sitzende Endkappe geschlagen wird.Finally, a device for opening film cassettes is also described in GB-PS 2 067 163, in which the end cap seated over the shorter hub of the cassette is pressed in and is thereby spread apart from the cylinder wall of the cassette by a hammer part from above onto the long hub seated at the upper end of the cassette and then struck with an anvil part to deform the end cap seated at the lower end of the cassette.

Es ist nun Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, ein Gerät zur Behandlung von Filmen zu schaffen, das besonders einfach gebaut und leicht zu handhaben ist und das sich in beiden oben erwähnten Punkten von den bekannten Geräten vorteilhaft unterscheidet.It is an object of the present invention to provide a film treatment device which is particularly simple in construction and easy to handle and which advantageously differs from the known devices in both of the above-mentioned points.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäss gelöst bei einem eingangs beschriebenen Gerät, das die im kennzeichnenden Teil des Anspruchs 1 aufgeführten Merkmale aufweist.This object is achieved according to the invention in a device described in the introduction, which has the features listed in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Vorzugsweise ist beim Gebrauch des Geräts nach der Erfindung die darin vorhandene Endkappengreifeinrichtung feststehend und der in einem anderen Teil des Geräts festgehaltene Kassettenkörper wird von der Greifeinrichtung wegbewegt.Preferably, when using the device according to the invention, the end cap gripping device provided therein is stationary and the cassette body held in another part of the device is moved away from the gripping device.

Das Gerät nach der Erfindung kann bei Tageslicht zum Entladen von Kassetten in einem Behandlungsraum dienen, der innerhalb des Geräts vorgesehen ist, ohne dass es dadurch sperrig ist, und obwohl das Gerät keine Spirale zum Daraufspannen des Films aufweist, sind die mit diesem Gerät erzielten Behandlungsresultate höchst zufriedenstellend.The device according to the invention can be used in daylight to unload cassettes in a treatment room provided within the device without being bulky, and although the device does not have a spiral for stretching the film, the treatment results achieved with this device are extremely satisfactory.

Besonders vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen des Geräts nach der Erfindung weisen eines oder mehrere der in den Unteransprüchen 2 bis 6 aufgezählten Merkmale auf.Particularly advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention have one or more of the features listed in subclaims 2 to 6.

Der Kassettenkörper kann nicht durch den Kassettenkörperhalten hindurch passieren, da die radial vorstehenden Lippen des Austrittsspaltes der Kassette dies verhindern, indem sie in die Axialnut in der Innenwandung des Halters hineinragen und an ihrem unteren Ende auf dem geschlossenen Ende der Axialnut aufliegen.The cassette body cannot pass through the cassette body holder, since the radially protruding lips of the outlet gap of the cassette prevent this by protruding into the axial groove in the inner wall of the holder and resting on the closed end of the axial groove at their lower end.

Der den Kassettenkörper im oberen Gehäuseteil des Geräts festhaltende Halterblock kann so ausgebildet sein, dass er den Kassettenkörper im mittigen Blockdurchlass festhält und dabei zusammendrückend an ihm angreift. Hierzu kann der Block aus zwei Längshälften bestehen oder auch als axial geschlitzter Zylinder ausgebildet sein. Die Kassette wird z.B. in den Block eingesetzt und dieser dann in den oberen Gehäuseteil festsitzend hineingepresst. Diese Ausführung des Halterblocks bietet eine sehr gute Halterung für den Kassettenkörper, was bei aufgebördelten Endkappen besonders wichtig ist.The holder block holding the cassette body in the upper housing part of the device can be designed such that it holds the cassette body in the central block passage and compressively engages it. For this purpose, the block can consist of two longitudinal halves or can also be designed as an axially slotted cylinder. The cassette is inserted, for example, into the block and this is then pressed firmly into the upper housing part. This version of the holder block offers a very good holder for the cassette body, which is particularly important with crimped end caps.

In fast allen 35-mm Filmkassetten, die heutzutage hergestellt werden, ragt das eine Ende der den aufgewickelten Film tragenden Spule beträchtlich aus einer der beiden Spulenendkappen heraus (langes Nabenende der Spule). Am vorteilhaftesten ist es, wenn die Endkappe an diesem Nabenende abgezogen wird, und es kann Vorkehrung getroffen werden, dass die Kassette nur mit diesem Nabenende und nicht mit dem entgegengesetzten in das Gerät eingeführt werden kann.In almost all 35mm film cassettes manufactured today, one end of the spool carrying the wound film protrudes considerably from one of the two spool end caps (long hub end of the spool). It is most advantageous if the end cap is pulled off at this hub end, and provision can be made that the cassette can only be inserted into the device with this hub end and not with the opposite end.

Bei Einführung der Kassette in den im oberen Gehäuseteil des Geräts eingebauten Kassettenkörperhalter kommt die Endkappengreifeinrichtung in Eingriff mit der unteren Endkappe der Kassette, während der obere Gehäuseteil mit einem unteren, den Behandlungsraum enthaltenden Gehäuseteil verschraubt ist. Der obere Gehäuseteil wird dann durch Aufsetzen eines Deckels lichtdicht verschlossen und hierauf durch abschraubende Drehung nach oben gegenüber dem unteren, die Endkappengreifeinrichtung enthaltenden Gehäuseteil angehoben. Hierdurch wird nun die untere Endkappe von der Kassette nach unten abgezogen, während gleichzeitig ein den Behandlungsraum bildender Hohlraum unterhalb des Kassettenkörperhalters entsteht, der genügend gross ist, um die Spule mit dem auf ihr aufgewickelten Film aufzunehmen.When the cassette is inserted into the cassette body holder installed in the upper housing part of the device, the end cap gripping device comes into engagement with the lower end cap of the cassette, while the upper housing part is screwed to a lower housing part containing the treatment space. The upper housing part is then closed in a light-tight manner by fitting a cover and then raised by unscrewing it upwards relative to the lower housing part containing the end cap gripping device. As a result, the lower end cap is now pulled down from the cassette, while at the same time a cavity forming the treatment space is created below the cassette body holder which is large enough to accommodate the spool with the film wound on it.

Schon bei vollständig miteinander verschraubten Gehäuseteilen wurde eine Spulenankuppelungseinrichtung zum Eingriff mit dem Kupplungselement oder den Kupplungselementen in der Aushöhlung der längeren Spulennabe gebracht und durch Festsitz so damit verbunden, dass beim Hinaufschrauben des oberen Gehäuseteils die Spule mit dem darauf aufgewickelten Film nach unten aus dem Kassettenkörper heraus und in den unter diesem freiwerdenden Behandlungsraum im unteren Gehäuseteil hineingezogen wird.Even with the housing parts completely screwed together, a spool coupling device was brought into engagement with the coupling element or the coupling elements in the hollow of the longer spool hub and connected by tight fit in such a way that when the upper housing part was screwed up, the spool with the film wound thereon downward out of the cassette body and is drawn into the treatment room that becomes free in the lower housing part.

Vorzugsweise wird die Spule mit dem auf ihr aufgewickelten Film aus dem Kassettenkörper mittels der erwähnten Ankupplungseinrichtung entfernt, die, sobald die Kassette im Halteblock festsitzt, in eine Ausnehmung in der Nabe des hervorstehenden Spulenendes eintritt, wobei ein oder mehrere, vorzugsweise zwei in der Nabenausnehmung der Spule axial hervorstehende Anschlussglieder in eine Einkerbung oder Quernut im Stirnende dieser Ankupplungseinrichtung festsitzend eindringen. Daher wird, während der obere Gehäuseteil des Geräts, der den Kassettenkörperhalter enthält, gegenüber dem darunter befindlichen unteren Gehäuseteil durch teilweises Abschrauben angehoben, die Endkappe wird mittels der Endkappengreifeinrichtung von der Kassette abgezogen und fällt vorzugsweise in Richtung auf die Grundplatte des unteren Gehäuseteils herab und kommt dabei vorzugsweise auf der Spulenankupplungseinrichtung zu liegen. Auch sitzt beim weiteren Aufwärtsschrauben des oberen Gehäuseteils gegenüber dem Tankgehäuseteil die Spule mit dem darauf gewickelten Film am oberen Ende der Ankupplungseinrichtung fest und kann sich nicht mehr mit dem Kassettenkörper drehen, der ja gleichzeitig auch nach oben von ihr abgehoben wird. Ist dies genügend weit geschehen, so ist die Spule mit dem von ihr getragenen Film vollständig aus dem Kassettenkörper entfernt und befindet sich im unteren Gehäuseteil. In diesen kann nun Behandlungsflüssigkeit eingeführt werden und die Behandlung des Films beginnen.Preferably, the spool with the film wound on it is removed from the cassette body by means of the coupling device mentioned, which, as soon as the cassette is stuck in the holding block, enters a recess in the hub of the protruding spool end, one or more, preferably two, in the hub recess of the Insert the axially protruding connecting members firmly into a notch or transverse groove in the front end of this coupling device. Therefore, while the upper case of the device containing the cassette body holder is partially unscrewed from the lower case below it, the end cap is pulled off the cassette by the end cap gripping means and preferably falls and comes down toward the base of the lower case preferably to lie on the coil coupling device. Also, when the upper housing part is screwed further up relative to the tank housing part, the coil with the film wound thereon is firmly seated at the upper end of the coupling device and can no longer rotate with the cassette body, which at the same time is lifted up from it. If this is done sufficiently far, the spool with the film it carries is completely removed from the cassette body and is located in the lower housing part. Treatment liquid can now be introduced into this and treatment of the film can begin.

Hierauf wird Behandlungsflüssigkeit in den Behandlungsraum durch weiter unten beschriebene Einlasswege eingeführt und der Film oder die Behandlungsflüssigkeit oder beide im genannten Raum so bewegt, dass die Flüssigkeit mit allen Bereichen der Filmoberfläche ausreichend in Berührung kommt.Thereafter, treatment liquid is introduced into the treatment room through inlet paths described below and the film or the treatment liquid or both is moved in the said room in such a way that the liquid comes into sufficient contact with all areas of the film surface.

Zur Einführung der Behandlungsflüssigkeit in den Behandlungsraum sind bei dem Gerät lichtdichte Kanäle oder Durchlässe im Deckel und/oder in der Grundplatte des unteren Gehäuseteils vorgesehen; es kann aber auch ein Einlassrohr in der Seitenwandung des unteren Gehäuseteils vorgesehen sein. Auf den gleichen Wegen kann auch die Flüssigkeit wieder aus dem Behandlungsraum entfernt werden.To introduce the treatment liquid into the treatment room, light-tight channels or passages are provided in the cover and / or in the base plate of the lower housing part; however, an inlet pipe can also be provided in the side wall of the lower housing part. The liquid can also be removed from the treatment room in the same way.

Der für die Aufnahme von Flüssigkeit im unteren Gehäuseteil vorgesehene Behandlungsraum unterhalb des Kassettenkörperhalters sollte so gross sein, dass er genügend Flüssigkeit zur vollständigen Behandlung des Films aufnehmen kann; gleichwohl ist das dazu erforderliche Flüssigkeitsvolumen viel geringer als das bei den meisten mit Spirale versehenen benötigte.The treatment space provided for the absorption of liquid in the lower housing part below the cassette body holder should be so large that it can hold enough liquid to completely treat the film; however, the volume of liquid required for this is much less than that required for most of the spirals.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des Geräts nach der Erfindung sind an der Basis des Flüssigkeit aufnehmenden Behandlungsraumes Einrichtungen vorgesehen, die den Eintritt von Flüssigkeit in diesen Raum beim Hineinstellen des Geräts in einen mit Behandlungsflüssigkeit beschickten Behälter gestatten, wobei der untere Gehäuseteil des Geräts genügend tief in die Flüssigkeit im Behälter eintauchen muss, um den Behandlungsraum vollständig mit dieser zu füllen. Die Behandlung des Filmes wird nun durchgeführt, während das Gerät im Flüssigkeitsbad verbleibt. Sobald sie beendet ist, wird das Gerät aus dem Behälter herausgehoben, und die darin befindliche Flüssigkeit fliesst aus dem Gerät in das Flüssigkeitsbad im Behälter zurück. Die Eintritts- und Austrittswege umfassen auch hier ein Lichtlabyrinth, das ein Einfallen von Licht in das Gerät während der Behandlung verhindert.In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, devices are provided at the base of the liquid-absorbing treatment space which allow liquid to enter this space when the device is placed in a container filled with treatment liquid, the lower housing part of the device being deep enough into the Liquid must be immersed in the container in order to completely fill the treatment room with it. The treatment of the film is now carried out while the device remains in the liquid bath. As soon as it is finished, the device is lifted out of the container and the liquid therein flows out of the device back into the liquid bath in the container. The entry and exit paths also include a labyrinth of light that prevents light from entering the device during treatment.

Vorzugsweise ist die Basis oder Grundplatte des unteren Gehäuseteils so gestaltet, dass auf ihr die untere, von der Kassette abgetrennte Endkappe in mittiger Stellung Platz findet. Diese Basis oder Grundplatte sollte auch vorzugsweise so ausgebildet sein, dass sich das Nabenende der Spule auf ihr abstützen kann, wodurch das Drehen der Spule beim teilweisen Lockern der Filmwindungen und Wiederaufwickeln des Films während der Behandlung erleichtert wird.The base or base plate of the lower housing part is preferably designed in such a way that the lower end cap, which is separated from the cassette, can be accommodated in the central position. This base or base plate should also preferably be designed so that the hub end of the spool can be supported on it, thereby facilitating the spool turning when the film windings are partially loosened and the film rewound during treatment.

Während der auf der Spule aufgewickelte Film nach unten aus der Kassette herausgezogen wird, werden seine Wicklungen loser und Behandlungsflüssigkeit kann in die entstehenden Zwischenräume zwischen den Filmwicklungen eindringen und auf die gesamte Oberfläche des Filmes einwirken.As the film wound on the spool is pulled downward out of the cassette, its windings become looser and treatment liquid can penetrate into the gaps between the film windings and act on the entire surface of the film.

Weitere Einzelheiten und Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der folgenden Beschreibung in Verbindung mit der beigefügten Zeichnung, in welcher

  • Fig. 1 eine auseinandergezogene Ansicht einer mit einem Film beschickten 35mm-Filmkassette in Perspektive,
  • Fig. 2 einen Längsschnitt durch eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des Behandlungsgeräts nach der Erfindung mit am weitesten abwärtsgeschraubter Stellung des oberen Gehäuseteils in den unteren Gehäuseteil, und
  • Fig. 3 einen Längsschnitt durch die Ausführungsform nach Fig. 2, aber mit dem oberen Gehäuseteil weitgehend aus dem unteren nach oben herausgeschraubt, zeigen.
Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which
  • Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a a 35mm film cassette in perspective,
  • Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through a preferred embodiment of the treatment device according to the invention with the most downward screwed position of the upper housing part in the lower housing part, and
  • Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the embodiment of Fig. 2, but with the upper housing part largely unscrewed from the lower upward.

In allen Figuren der Zeichnungen haben gleiche Bezugszeichen gleiche Bedeutung.In all figures of the drawings, the same reference symbols have the same meaning.

In Fig. 1 ist eine normale 35mm-Filmkassette gezeigt, die, längs einer mittigen Achse auseinandergezogen, zwei ringförmige Endkappen B1 und B2 und dazwischen einen im wesentlichen zylindrischen Kassettenkörper C mit einem lichtdichten seitlichen Filmaustritt D umfasst, der zwei sich axial erstreckende seitliche Flanschen oder Lippen D1 und D2 besitzt, die von der Aussenwandung des Körpers C in zur Mittelachse parallel verlaufenden Ebenen hervorstehen und zwischen denen sich ein offener Austrittsschlitz S für den Film befindet. Der Filmaustritt D wird durch Zusammenklemmen der beiden kürzeren Endkanten eines den Kassettenkörper C bildenden Metallstreifens geformt. Die Lippen D1 und D2 erstrecken sich von der Zylinderwandung weg etwas über den Umfang der Endkappen B1 und B2 hinaus. Der Kassettenkörper C ist dazu bestimmt, den Film J auf der mit Endflanschen E 1 und E2 versehenen Spule E zu halten, die ein langes Nabenende F und ein kurzes Nabenende G aufweist. In eine Ausnehmung am Nabenende F ragen axiale Kupplungsglieder H hinein, (von denen nur eines sichtbar ist), mit deren Hilfe die Spule E in der Kamera in die richtige Stellung gebracht wird. Der Film J weist eine beim Abwickeln von der Spule E vorauslaufende Endkante K sowie an seinen langen Rändern Löcher L für den Eingriff eines Zahnrades oder dergleichen Filmtransportmittel auf.In Fig. 1 a normal 35mm film cassette is shown which, pulled apart along a central axis, comprises two annular end caps B1 and B2 and between them a substantially cylindrical cassette body C with a light-tight lateral film outlet D, which has two axially extending lateral flanges or Has lips D1 and D2, which protrude from the outer wall of the body C in planes running parallel to the central axis and between which there is an open exit slot S for the film. The film exit D is formed by clamping the two shorter end edges of a metal strip forming the cassette body C. The lips D1 and D2 extend somewhat beyond the circumference of the end caps B1 and B2 from the cylinder wall. The cassette body C is intended to hold the film J on the spool E provided with end flanges E 1 and E2, which has a long hub end F and a short hub end G. Axial coupling members H protrude into a recess at the hub end F (only one of which is visible), with the aid of which the coil E is brought into the correct position in the camera. The film J has an end edge K leading in front of the unwinding from the reel E and holes L on its long edges for the engagement of a toothed wheel or similar film transport means.

In den Figuren 2 und 3 ist ein Behandlungsgerät nach der Erfindung gezeigt, welches als lichtdichte Umhüllung einen säulenförmigen, zur Aufnahme der Kassette bestimmten oberen Gehäuseteil 1 und einen breiteren säulenförmigen, topfartig ausgebildeten unteren Gehäuseteil 3 umfasst, wobei der letztere mit dem oberen Gehäuseteil 1 mittels einer Schraubenverbindung 4 zusammengeschraubt ist, die ein Aussengewinde 4a am unteren Ende des oberen Gehäuseteils 1 und ein Innengewinde 4b am oberen Ende des unteren Gehäuseteils 3 aufweist. Ein Deckel 5 passt auf das obere Ende des Gehäuseteils 1 und verschliesst diesen lichtdicht.In FIGS. 2 and 3, a treatment device according to the invention is shown, which comprises a column-shaped upper housing part 1 intended for receiving the cassette and a wider columnar, pot-shaped lower housing part 3, the latter being connected to the upper housing part 1 by means of a light-tight envelope a screw connection 4 is screwed together, which has an external thread 4a at the lower end of the upper housing part 1 and an internal thread 4b at the upper end of the lower housing part 3. A lid 5 fits on the upper end of the housing part 1 and closes it light-tight.

Die Gehäuseteile 1 und 3 sowie der Deckel 5 bestehen vorzugsweise alle aus lichtundurchlässigem Kunststoff. In einer ersten Stufe der Verwendung des Geräts nach der Erfindung umgibt der topfartige untere Gehäuseteil 3 den oberen Gehäuseteil 1 praktisch von allen Seiten fast bis zu dessen oberem Ende, während in einer anderen Stufe der Verwendung der untere Gehäuseteil 3 nach abwärts geschraubt ist, aber immer noch lichtdicht an den oberen Gehäuseteil 1 angeschlossen bleibt.The housing parts 1 and 3 and the cover 5 are preferably all made of opaque plastic. In a first stage of use of the device according to the invention, the pot-like lower housing part 3 surrounds the upper housing part 1 practically from all sides almost to its upper end, while in another stage of use the lower housing part 3 is screwed downwards, but always still remains connected to the upper housing part 1 in a light-tight manner.

Im oberen Gehäuseteil 1 ist ein Halteblock 2 für das Festhalten des Kassettenkörpers C angebracht. Dieser Kassettenkörperhalter 2 hat einen mittigen Durchlass 2a, in den die Kassette eingeführt wird; aber nur die untere Endkappe B1 und die Spule mit ihren Flanschen E1 und E2 können durch das untere offene Ende 2b des Durchlasses 2a durchtreten, da der Halterblock 2 eine Axialnut 6 im Durchlass 2a aufweist, deren unteres Ende geschlossen ist und die so beschaffen ist, dass die Lippen D1, D2 des Filmauslasses D in die Nut 6 hineinragen und auf ihrem geschlossenen unteren Ende aufliegen. Hierdurch wird der Kassettenkörper C im Halterblock 2 festgehalten.In the upper housing part 1, a holding block 2 for holding the cassette body C is attached. This cassette body holder 2 has a central passage 2a into which the cassette is inserted; but only the lower end cap B1 and the coil with their flanges E1 and E2 can pass through the lower open end 2b of the passage 2a, since the holder block 2 has an axial groove 6 in the passage 2a, the lower end of which is closed and which is of such a nature that that the lips D1, D2 of the film outlet D protrude into the groove 6 and rest on their closed lower end. As a result, the cassette body C is held in the holder block 2.

Der untere Gehäuseteil 3 umfasst eine Grundplatte 7 und weist eine zylindrische Seitenwandung 8 auf, die auf ihrer Innenseite das Innengewinde 4b trägt, das sich fast über ihre gesamte Höhe erstreckt. Auf der Grundplatte 7 sitzt ein Rohrstutzen 9, dessen oberes offenes Ende einen radial einwärts vorspringenden Innenringflansch 11 aufweist. Der Rohrstutzen 9 ist mit axialen Schlitzen 9a versehen, durch die sein offenes Ende leicht durch Auseinanderbiegen mittels einer abwärts wirkenden Dehnkraft verbreitert werden kann. Der Rohrstutzen 9 und die lichte Weite des Innenringflansches 11 sind so bemessen, dass die aus dem Halterblock 2 nach unten heraustretende Endkappe B1 unter den Flansch 11 gedrückt und von ihm dann festgehalten wird (Fig. 2).The lower housing part 3 comprises a base plate 7 and has a cylindrical side wall 8 which carries on its inside the internal thread 4b which extends almost over its entire height. On the base plate 7 sits a pipe socket 9, the upper open end of which has a radially inwardly projecting inner ring flange 11. The pipe socket 9 is provided with axial slots 9a, through which its open end can easily be widened by bending apart by means of a downward stretching force. The pipe socket 9 and the clear width of the inner ring flange 11 are dimensioned such that the end cap B1 emerging from the holder block 2 is pressed down under the flange 11 and is then held by it (FIG. 2).

Die Grundplatte 7 hat eine mittige Öffnung 7a, in welcher mittig in Bezug auf den Rohrstufen 9 und drehbar ein Spulenankupplungselement 12 vorgesehen ist, das einen Schaftteil oder Zapfen 13 umfasst, der sich aufwärts durch die Öffnung 7a ertreckt und an seinem oberen Ende 13a einen Querschlitz oder eine Quernut 14 aufweist. Wie in Figuren 2 und 3 gezeigt, reicht der Zapfen 13 in die Ausnehmung des langen Nabenendes F hinein, und das oder die sich in diesem befindenden Kupplungsglieder H dringen mit Festsitz in den Querschnitt 14 ein.The base plate 7 has a central opening 7a, in which a coil coupling element 12 is provided centrally and rotatably with respect to the tube stages 9, which comprises a shaft part or pin 13 which extends upwards through the opening 7a and a transverse slot at its upper end 13a or has a transverse groove 14. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pin 13 extends into the recess of the long hub end F, and the coupling member (s) located therein penetrate into the cross section 14 with a tight fit.

In der Grundplatte 7 ist weiter eine Anzahl Flüssigkeitsdurchlässe 17 vorgesehen. Der Einfall von Licht durch die Durchlässe 17 in das Innere des unteren Gehäuseteils 3 wird durch Lichtfallen (nicht gezeigt) bekannter Art verhindert. In der Unterseite des Spulenankupplungselements 12 befindet sich ebenfalls eine mittige Quernut 19.A number of liquid passages 17 are also provided in the base plate 7. The incidence of light through the passages 17 into the interior of the lower housing part 3 is prevented by light traps (not shown) of a known type. There is also a central transverse groove 19 in the underside of the coil coupling element 12.

Wie in Fig. 3 gezeigt, wird das ganze Gerät in einen äusseren Behandlungsbehälter oder Tank 20 gestellt, der mittig auf seiner inneren Bodenfläche 20a eine aufwärts vorspringende, längliche Quernase oder dergleichen Riegelelement 21 trägt, das in die Quernut 19 hineinpasst.As shown in FIG. 3, the entire device is placed in an outer treatment container or tank 20 which bears an upwardly projecting, elongated transverse nose or similar locking element 21 in the center of its inner bottom surface 20a, which fits into the transverse groove 19.

Bei Verwendung des Geräts zum Behandeln eines Films in einer Kassette wird zunächst der obere Gehäuseteil 1 völlig vom unteren Gehäuseteil 3 abgeschraubt. Die Kassette mit dem in sie völlig eingerollten Film wird dann in den Halterblock 2 eingeführt, wobei das lange Nabenende F nach unten weist. Der obere Gehäuseteil 1 wird nun mit dem Deckel 5 verschlossen.When using the device for treating a film in a cassette, the upper housing part 1 is first completely unscrewed from the lower housing part 3. The cassette with the film fully rolled into it is then inserted into the holder block 2 with the long hub end F pointing downwards. The upper housing part 1 is now closed with the cover 5.

Dann wird der obere Gehäuseteil 1 soweit in den unteren Gehäuseteil 3 lichtdicht hineingeschraubt, dass die Kupplungsglieder H fest genug in den Querschlitz 14 im Zapfenstirnende 13a eindringen, so dass nicht nur eine Drehung der Spule E gegenüber dem Kupplungselement H, sondern auch eine axiale Bewegung der beiden Teile voneinander weg beim Aufwärtsschrauben des Gehäuseteils 1 aus dem Gehäuseteil 3 verhindert wird. Gleichzeitig wird beim Herunterschrauben des Gehäuseteils 1 in den Gehäuseteil 3 die Endkappe B1 in den Rohrstutzen 9 hineingedrückt, so dass der Innenringflansch 11 des Rohrstutzens 9 den Rand der Endkappe 81 übergreift.Then the upper housing part 1 is screwed into the lower housing part 3 so that it is light-tight that the coupling members H penetrate the transverse slot 14 in the pin end 13a firmly enough so that not only a rotation of the coil E relative to the coupling element H, but also an axial one Movement of the two parts away from each other when screwing the housing part 1 out of the housing part 3 is prevented. At the same time, when the housing part 1 is screwed down into the housing part 3, the end cap B1 is pressed into the pipe socket 9, so that the inner ring flange 11 of the pipe socket 9 engages over the edge of the end cap 81.

Dies ist nun in der in Fig. 2 gezeigten Stellung aller Teile des Geräts der Fall, wobei der obere Gehäuseteil 1 völlig in den unteren Gehäuseteil 3 hineingeschraubt ist. Das Aussengewinde 4a des Gehäuseteils 1 ist bis zum unteren Ende des Innengewindes 4b im Gehäuseteil 3 hinuntergeschraubt.This is now the case in the position of all parts of the device shown in FIG. 2, the upper housing part 1 being screwed completely into the lower housing part 3. The external thread 4a of the housing part 1 is screwed down to the lower end of the internal thread 4b in the housing part 3.

Das Gerät wird dann in den becherförmigen Behälter 20 gestellt und zwar so, dass die Nase 21 am Boden des Behälters 20 in die Quernut 19 eingepasst ist, so dass bei feststehendem Behälter 20 weder das Spulenkupplungselement 12 noch die über dessen Querschlitz 14 und die Kupplungsglieder H damit verbundene Spule S bei stillstehendem Behälter 20 gedreht werden können.The device is then placed in the cup-shaped container 20 in such a way that the nose 21 at the bottom of the container 20 is fitted into the transverse groove 19, so that when the container 20 is stationary, neither the coil coupling element 12 nor the one via its transverse slot 14 and the coupling members H connected coil S can be rotated when the container 20 is stationary.

Um die Endkappe B1 vom Kassettenkörpet C zu entfernen, wird der Behälter 20 festgehalten und der obere Gehäuseteil 1 in Richtung aus dem unteren Gehäuseteil 3 hinaus aufwärts geschraubt. Damit wird auch der Kassettenkörperhalter 2 nach oben vom Rohrstutzen 9 und dessen die Endkappe B1 ergreifendem Innenringflansch 11 weg abgehoben und die Endkappe B1 wird nach unten vom Kassettenkörper C abgezogen und fällt in das Innere des Rohrstutzens 9, auf dessen Boden sie den Zapfen 13 umgebend liegen bleibt (Fig. 3).In order to remove the end cap B1 from the cassette body C, the container 20 is held in place and the upper housing part 1 is screwed upwards in the direction from the lower housing part 3. Thus, the cassette body holder 2 is lifted upwards away from the pipe socket 9 and its inner ring flange 11 which grips the end cap B1, and the end cap B1 is pulled downwards from the cassette body C and falls into the interior of the pipe socket 9, on the bottom of which they lie around the pin 13 remains (Fig. 3).

Gleichzeitig zieht das Spulenkupplungselement 12 die an ihm festsitzende Spule E mit fortschreitendem Aufwärtsschrauben des oberen Gehäuseteils 1 immer weiter aus dem Kassettenkörper C nach unten heraus, bis sie in der in Fig. 3 gezeigten Endstellung völlig aus der Kassette entfernt ist und sich im Innenraum 10 des unteren Gehäuseteils 3 befindet.At the same time, the coil coupling element 12 pulls the coil E, which is stuck to it, with increasing progressive screwing of the upper housing part 1 downwards out of the cassette body C until it is completely removed from the cassette in the end position shown in FIG. 3 and is located in the interior 10 of the lower housing part 3 is located.

Das gesamte Gerät kann nun aus dem Behälter 20 herausgehoben und dieser mit der erforderlichen Menge Behandlungsflüssigkeit bis zum oberen Niveau des aufgewickelten Films gefüllt werden. Das Gerät wird dann wieder in den Behälter 20 hineingestellt, so dass die Quernut 19 auf die Nase 21 passt. Die Behandlungsflüssigkeit tritt dann durch die Durchlässe 17 in den unteren Gehäuseteil 3 ein. Das Ankupplungselement 12 zusammen mit der Spule E und dem auf ihr befindlichen Film 3 wird dann durch Drehen des Behälters 20 gegenüber dem unteren Gehäuseinnenraum 10 und der in ihm befindlichen Flüssigkeit in drehende Bewegung versetzt. Dies verursacht den Film J, sich auszubreiten, so dass seine Windungen auf der Spule E loser werden und von der Mittelachse der Spule weg auf einem kegelstumpfförmig gestalteten Zwischenboden 15, der am oberen Ende des Rohrstutzens 9 befestigt ist und diesen umgibt, nach der Seitenwandung 8 des Gehäuseteils 3 hin abwärts gleiten.The entire device can now be lifted out of the container 20 and filled with the required amount of treatment liquid up to the upper level of the wound film. The device is then put back into the container 20 so that the transverse groove 19 fits onto the nose 21. The treatment liquid then enters through the passages 17 into the lower housing part 3. The coupling element 12 together with the coil E and the film 3 located on it is then set in rotating motion by rotating the container 20 in relation to the lower housing interior 10 and the liquid therein. This causes the film J to spread out, so that its turns on the coil E become looser and away from the central axis of the coil on a truncated cone-shaped intermediate floor 15, which is fastened to the upper end of the pipe socket 9 and surrounds it, after the side wall 8 of the housing part 3 slide down.

Der untere Umfangsrand des Zwischenbodens 1 5 liegt mit Abstand über der Grundplatte 7 des Gehäuseteils 3, so dass Behandlungsflüssigkeit durch den verbleibenden Spalt hindurch den Innenraum 10 so weit füllen kann, dass sie an alle Bereiche der Filmoberfläche gelangt. Vorzugsweise folgt auf eine bestimmte Anzahl Drehungen des Behälters 20 im einen Sinne eine gleiche Anzahl Drehungen im umgekehrten Sinne.The lower circumferential edge of the intermediate bottom 15 lies at a distance above the base plate 7 of the housing part 3, so that treatment liquid can fill the interior 10 through the remaining gap to such an extent that it reaches all areas of the film surface. Preferably, a certain number of rotations of the container 20 in one sense is followed by an equal number of rotations in the opposite sense.

Ist die erforderliche Behandlungszeit des Films in der zugeführten Behandlungsflüssigkeit verstrichen, so wird das Gerät aus dem Behälter 20 herausgehoben und die Flüssigkeit läuft aus dem Gerät in den Behälter zurück. Das Gerät kann dann in einen anderen Behälter 20 gestellt werden, der mit einer anderen Behandlungsflüssigkeit beschickt ist.When the required treatment time of the film in the treatment liquid supplied has elapsed, the device is lifted out of the container 20 and the liquid runs back out of the device into the container. The device can then be placed in another container 20 which is loaded with a different treatment liquid.

Schliesslich kann das Gerät aus dem Behälter mit der zuletzt angewendeten Behandlungsflüssigkeit herausgenommen und in einen solchen mit Waschwasser gestellt werden. Dieser letzte Schritt kann so oft wiederholt werden, wie dies zum gründlichen Waschen des Films erforderlich ist.Finally, the device can be removed from the container with the treatment liquid last used and placed in one with wash water. This last step can be repeated as many times as necessary to thoroughly wash the film.

Bei Verwendung eines Monobades wird natürlich nur ein einziges Behandlungsbad im Behälter 20 benötigt. Nach Beendigung des Behandelns und Waschens des Films wird das Gerät aus dem Behälter 20 gehoben und das gesamte Waschwasser kann aus ihm durch die Durchlässe 17 abfliessen. Der obere Gehäuseteil 1 wird dann völlig aus dem unteren Gehäuseteil 3 herausgeschraubt und der Film J auf der Spule E sowie die Endkappe B1 werden aus diesem Gehäuseteil entfernt. Der Deckel 5 wird nun vom oberen Gehäuseteil 1 abgenommen und der Kassettenkörper C kann aus dem Halterblock 2 entfernt werden.When using a monobath, of course, only a single treatment bath is required in the container 20. After the treatment and washing of the film has ended, the device is lifted out of the container 20 and all the washing water can flow out of it through the passages 17. The upper housing part 1 is then completely unscrewed from the lower housing part 3 and the film J on the spool E and the end cap B1 are removed from this housing part. The cover 5 is now removed from the upper housing part 1 and the cassette body C can be removed from the holder block 2.

Claims (6)

1. An apparatus for the processing of a film contained in a cassette, the cassette comprising a substantially cylindrical cassette body (C) with a light-tight, longitudinally extending film exit slot (D), two end caps (B1, B2) fastened to said cassette body and a spool (E) held between said end caps and having the fim (J) wound thereon, and the apparatus comprising a light-tight enclosure with a body (1) in which the cassette body (C) is retained, and a processing space (10) beneath the latter which is sufficiently large to receive therein the spool (E) with the film (J) wound thereon, which was removed from said cassette body (C) which is retained in the body (1), and which space is suitable forfilling with liquid, characterised in that an end cap gripping means (9, 11) is provided in said space (10);
- that the end cap gripping means and the cassette retained in the upper body (1) are disposed with respect to each other in such a way that they may be removed axially from each other so that the end cap gripping means (9, 11) removes the end cap (B1) gripped thereby from the cassette body (C); and
- that a spool retaining means (12, 13, 14) is provided which can be connected to the spool (E) so that upon the above-mentioned axial removal of the upper body (1) from the end cap gripping means (9, 11) and over and above that it draws out the spool (E) with the film (J) wound thereon from the cassette body (C) and draws it into the processing space (10).
2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that the body (1) is an upper part of the light-tight enclosure and that it contains a block (2), with a central hole (2a) for the lower end cap (B 1) of the cassette and for the spool (E) with the film (J) wound thereon, for retaining the cassette body (C), and that the block (2) has a longitudinal slot (6) in the hole wall (2a) which is closed at its lower end and is shaped so that it receives the projecting film exit slot (D) of the cassette and lays the latter on the closed end of the slot (6) and thereby retains the cassette body (C) in the block (2).
3. An apparatus according to Claim 2, characterised in that the processing space (10) is located in the interior of a lower body (3), that the end cap gripping means is located in said body (3) and that the upper body (1) and the lower body (3) are connected to each other by a thread (4) so that they can be displaced relative to each other in the axial direction while turning.
4. An apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the end cap gripping means (9, 11) comprises a connecting sleeve (9) arranged in the lower body (3) and extending axially into the processing space ( 10), which sleeve has on its upper end an inner annular flange (11) and is provided with longitudinal slits (9a), through which it can expand sufficiently for the purpose of introducing the end cap (B1) to be gripped.
5. An apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that beneath the processing space (10) the lower body (3) has a base plate (7) with light-tight holes (17) for the entry and exit of liquid, in particular from a container (20) into which the apparatus can be placed.
6. An apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the spool retaining means (12, 13, 14) comprises a shank part (13) which has a transverse slot (14) or similar recess at its upper end (13a), by means of which it can be coupled to coupling members (H) provided at the lower hub end (F) of the spool (E) facing the processing space (10) in such a way that the spool (E) is locked against rotation upon the axial removal of the bodies (1) and (3) from each other, and said shank thereby draws the spool (E) with the film (J) wound thereon out of the cassette body (C) and into the processing space ( 10).
EP86810282A 1985-06-25 1986-06-19 Film-treating device Expired EP0207896B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8516055 1985-06-25
GB858516055A GB8516055D0 (en) 1985-06-25 1985-06-25 Processing device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0207896A1 EP0207896A1 (en) 1987-01-07
EP0207896B1 true EP0207896B1 (en) 1989-01-18

Family

ID=10581293

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP86810282A Expired EP0207896B1 (en) 1985-06-25 1986-06-19 Film-treating device

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4664498A (en)
EP (1) EP0207896B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS622257A (en)
DE (1) DE3661867D1 (en)
GB (1) GB8516055D0 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8707133D0 (en) * 1987-03-25 1987-04-29 Ciba Geigy Ag Processing device
DE29519170U1 (en) * 1995-12-04 1996-01-25 Basf Magnetics Gmbh, 68165 Mannheim Separation device for an object

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2781708A (en) * 1953-12-04 1957-02-19 Parker Pen Co Self-contained developing unit
US3605601A (en) * 1968-02-27 1971-09-20 Shigeru Okayama Automatic film developing apparatus
JPS50105457U (en) * 1974-02-04 1975-08-29
SE398559B (en) * 1976-10-05 1977-12-27 Lindgren Bertil MOVIE CASSETTE OPENER
JPS5356025A (en) * 1976-11-01 1978-05-22 Medeika Kk Device for developing photographic film
GB2067163A (en) * 1980-01-10 1981-07-22 Kodak Ltd Apparatus and method for opening film cartridges
EP0078773B1 (en) * 1981-11-04 1985-02-06 Ciba-Geigy Ag Combined film cassette, extraction and developing device
EP0147366B1 (en) * 1983-11-23 1988-05-04 Ciba-Geigy Ag Processing device for exposed photographic material
US4514070A (en) * 1984-05-02 1985-04-30 Polaroid Corporation Film assemblage including a cannister for housing a film cassette during processing of film

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US4664498A (en) 1987-05-12
DE3661867D1 (en) 1989-02-23
EP0207896A1 (en) 1987-01-07
JPS622257A (en) 1987-01-08
GB8516055D0 (en) 1985-07-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE68912800T2 (en) Film cassette.
EP0147366B1 (en) Processing device for exposed photographic material
EP0078773B1 (en) Combined film cassette, extraction and developing device
EP0207896B1 (en) Film-treating device
DE3116835A1 (en) BELT REEL
EP0078770B1 (en) Treatment apparatus for flexible photographic material
DE2748778A1 (en) DEVICE FOR DEVELOPING AN EXPOSED FILM
DE7232103U (en) DEVICE FOR DEVELOPING A PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDING MATERIAL
DE847547C (en) Method and device for treating film strips
EP0180545B1 (en) Processing device for a roll of exposed film coiled on a spool
EP0197002A1 (en) Processing device
EP0194971B1 (en) Apparatus for treating exposed photographic material
DE491543C (en) Daylight developing device for roll films
DE3211384C2 (en)
EP0207897B1 (en) Handling device for the plunger in a developing device, especially for exposed films
DE3745082C2 (en) Disposable camera with film cassette
EP0007540B1 (en) Container for a magnetic recording tape cassette
DE3311058A1 (en) STIRRING DEVICE
EP0286588A1 (en) Device for the treatment of an illuminated photographic film coiled on a spool
DE835992C (en) Device for developing small images
DE8203539U1 (en) DEVICE FOR DEVELOPING COLOR PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES
DE526839C (en) Apparatus for developing exposed photographic strips
DE3720614A1 (en) DEVICE FOR DEVELOPING DISC FILMS
DE2623942A1 (en) NARROW FILM CASSETTE
DE3720613C2 (en)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19860625

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BE CH DE FR GB IT LI

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19880525

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE CH DE FR GB IT LI

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3661867

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19890223

ET Fr: translation filed
ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: SOCIETA' ITALIANA BREVETTI S.P.A.

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19890414

Year of fee payment: 4

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19890510

Year of fee payment: 4

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 19890620

Year of fee payment: 4

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 19890622

Year of fee payment: 4

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Effective date: 19900619

ITTA It: last paid annual fee
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Effective date: 19900630

Ref country code: CH

Effective date: 19900630

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19900630

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: CIBA-GEIGY A.G.

Effective date: 19900630

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Effective date: 19910228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Effective date: 19910301

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050619