GB574302A - New or improved apparatus for the development of photo-prints - Google Patents

Abstract

574,302. Photographic developing apparatus. HIGHAM, L. G. Jan. 29, 1944, No. 1701. [Class 98 (ii)] Apparatus for the development of photographic prints by means of a gas such as ammonia comprises a rotatable carrier mounted in a casing, the carrier having five compartments which, on rotation, connect successively with the front opening, the development chamber, an opening for discharging the gas, and finally with an inclined wall down which the developed print is delivered. The carrier shown is divided longitudinally by radial partitions 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 which form with the end walls 11, five sector-shaped troughs. On the outer edge of each partition is a felt, rubber or other flexible lip 20 adapted to make a gas-tight seal with abutments on the casing. The space between the end walls of the carrier and the casing is also backed with felt. The casing is rotated step-by-step by means of a five-toothed ratchet wheel 26 actuated by a pawl 27 mounted on a quadrantal lever 28. The development space 30 contains an electric heater 35 and a trough 34 into which a solution for generating the gas, e.g. ammonia, may be introduced by way of a pipe 33 and drip feed device 32 from an overhead tank 31..The print is prevented from rolling out of the compartment into the developing chamber by means of curved metal fingers 39 or wire mesh. In a further position of rotation, the resilient lips. 20 engage an abutment sheet 22 and seal the compartment from the developing chamber and the atmosphere, and a hole 40 in the end disc registers with a pipe 41 through which the gas in the compartment is drawn off. In the final position the developed print drops on to an inclined wall 23 of the casing. The apparatus may be arranged with the axis of the carrier vertical.