US2473280A - Automatic photographing and developing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 14, 1949. R. w. DART ETAL AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING AND DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed April 4, 1946 2 ShebS-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 'RODGER ,W/LLIAN DART SYDNEY JENKINS TORNEY June 14, 1949. w, DART ,ETAL I 2,473,280

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING AND DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed April 4, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T TORNE Y Patented June 14, 1949 AUTOMATIC .PHOTOGR'APHING AND DEVELOPING APPARWIUS iRodger William Dart, Essondale,.British Columzbia, (and Sydney Jenkins, Vancouver, British .Columbia, .Canada, assignors "to "International .MutoscopeCorporation, LongIsl-an'd City,'-N. 11,

a corporation .Applicationinprild, 1946,..Serial No. 659,520

1'6 "Claims. .1 v

:Our invention relates to improvements-in photographic machines, suchas those employed for automatically :exposing ta paper photographic plate, developing, [processing "and washing it, and delivering saidxplateaaszagpositive xtOlihB .purchaser in responseitostarting movement oil the machine through the operation of a coin 'operatedilock.

The-obj ectsoizthezmachine;arerto provide means whereby =the sensitized :plate :is :moved :continuously Ffrom starting position; to provide for an instantaneous flash :to' take {place :at the ':appro-' priate :moment when the plate is being moved transversely of :.its I focal plane 'ithroug'hthe camera; to progressivelydevelop,all/ash,bleach, wash clear, wash, redevlon: and wash said :plate .prior to ejectionor' delivery -to .the sitter, and:.to pick up an unexposedqila-te ready for the next exposure. A further objectis to provide a:plate :supply'system'whereby "moreth-a-n one plate magazine may beemployed an'd whereza full magazine maybe automatically brought into service posit-ion subsequent-to the employing of another.

Referring -to the drawings Fig. 1 is an elevational 'view of =the machine with" the side wall of the "cabinet removed, taken on the line "I I of "Figure 'r2.

Fig.j'2'is"a .plan'view-taken on-the-line 1-4 of Figure '1.

Fig. 31is a detailvi-ewof the plate receiving and developing tray.

Fig.4 is .a detail view-takenon the lined-:4 of

Figure 1 showingthe base of a-magazine partly mounting ,of. the trays.

.In .the drawings .like characters .of reference .indicate.correspondingparts .in. each. figure.

.The numeral J ;-indicates.generally. a. cabinetv in .which the .photographicmachine i2 is completely enclosed, itisprovided with a front wall 3having a rectangular exposure @openin -4 ,..si.de walls .5

.and. a .rear ,wall 6 and a partial thorizontal partition I extending across it above the path of the undeveloped plates .to (exclude .light admitted through oneusideandvthe "rear walls 5 iand .6 -.re-

spectively throughia viewingwindowtB. "A recess I0 is formed behind the opening 4 with-enclosing walls I I and ..a zmirror :or -.r,eiiector=screen 1'! extending between .said walls rat iamangleof -.-fortyfive degrees ::to. reflect ltheiimage of rthe sitter; who

deliver solution,onto-z .-..disk 2.1 is provided:with-apomplementary annular rim .5 I having an 1 inclined iace ground .to fitithe 2 would be appropriately seated before the recess '10 prior "to and during the time of exposure. A "camerabody -M is 'provided'below the partition [1 and extends downwardly there-belowto approximately 'the "focal plane of :the lens 1-5.

"Suitably suspended "from an upper support -ll is'a bearingin'whichavertical shaft-l8 is-mounted, whichushaftisrotatable atappropriate speed through a combined motor "and reduction gear '20, which motor combination is secured tothe said support ll. The "shaft "i'8 'extends through a circular disk .21 which isprovided wit-hone-or more lugs '22 which ;.slida'bly. engage vertical pins '23, one only shown, which are carried from the horizontal partition :1 to hold said disk nonrotatable,but to leave it ireetcmove downincidental to wear of the underside of said'disk. vThe lower end of the shaft is journalle'd in a step hearing '25 and is fitted with an elongated hub "21 having an upper iflangeTZBnpon which acircular table .29 is secured. .A spring. ,may beprovided around .the upper part of the shaft [8 between thehousingofthe. motorlll andthe disk to ensure proper -.w.atertight engagement .between the table Hand the disk 2|. Extending fromopposite sides of theelongatedhub .Z'Lare .two .r-adial arms .33, each of whichisfitted at its .onterend @with a rocking sleeve .ifisupporting atray 35. The sleeve ,is notched as atiianda pin.3'l.is.provided in-the .arm to engage the sides. of the notch to limittits rocking movement. A spring .38 surrounds the inner .end of the zsleeveandis anchoredlto both the. sleeve andthe -arm ,in theusual way-toretu'rn the -traytto horizontal; position after bein tilted.

The tray .is provided with an upstanding-arm.

"by which it is tilted rat appropriate intervals to spill itscontent of liquid and is provided with :a downwardly projecting arm l Lhaving-a forwardly curvedP rtion=42-at1its lower extremitytfor tilting the-tray in excess 20f -.ninety-.degrees to discharge the ,platecarried therein after being processed. The trailing side edge of each tr-ay .is;provide.d

intermediate :its flength with an upstanding lug M which is aidapt-ed to engagezagplate.tot'drop it .into the tray-at anappropriate pointof theturningecycle of the radial .-.=arm 33 :to which the tray --is attached.

Therotating circular table N is :provided onits flipper t-face-with :an annular :rib .46 having an :inclined upper surface or seat s41, which seat is a bored to gprovide-arpair of solutionports 48, each of which have connected to them a spoutflfi to trayrai. Thenon-rotating seat 4?. The rim 5| is ported at intervals to progressively register with each of the ports 48 as the table rotates below the disk. The ports of the rim 5! are indicated, Figure 2, by the respective numeral 53, 54, 55, 56, 51, 58, 59 and 60, the ports 54, 58, 58 and 60 being connected by a manifold 6! from a source of water supply. The port 53 is directly connected to the outlet of a developer tank 62, see Figures 1 and 2; the port 55 is connected by a pipe 63 from a source of bleaching solution; the port 51 is connected by a pipe 64 to a source of clearing solution, and the port 59 is connected by a pipe 65 to a source of redeveloping or toning solution. Intermediate adjacent ports 53 to 69 and also beyond the port 60, arms 66 are secured to the disk 2|, all of which depend over the rim of the table 29 and terminate in an outwardly extending member 61 which projects into the path of the vertical arm 39 on each tray, so that as each arm 66 is struck by an arm 39 the tray to which the said arm is attached will be tilted to discharge the liquid content last delivered to the tray. Below the trays a pan 68 is provided to take the liquid discharged from said trays and pass it through a pipe 69 to discharge.

Mounted adjacent the periphery of the table 29 and in the line of the travel of the trays, is a magazine 16, with another magazine ll secured to it by transverse members 12. The transverse members are pivotally mounted upon a vertical shaft 13. A rearwardly extending arm 14 is provided on one of the members 12. A pin '15 is mounted on the extension 14 and is connected by a spring 11' to an anchor rod 18 which is suitably supported from the disk 2|. Stops 80 are provided to limit the swing of the magazines and H and the spring I1 is adapted to move over the centre of the vertical shaft 13 to hold the magazines in the position shown in fill line in Figure 2 or in the dotted line position.

Each magazine Ill and H consists of a rectangular casing having side walls 82 and end walls 83, which latter extend below the side walls 82 and are inturned as at 84 to engage the end marginal edges of the lowermost plate 85 in the magazine. The magazines are obviously open topped to receive the plates, and a block 88 of greater depth than the interspace between the inturned portions 84 of the end walls 83 and the lower extremity of the walls 82 is adapted to be placed on the plates carried by the magazine 70.

In loading the magazines for the days run, they are disposed as shown in Figure 2, so that the lug on each tray will first withdraw plates from the magazine 10 and when the last plate is removed therefrom and the block 86 is seated upon the inturned portions 84, the lug 44 will engage the block and through it rock the magazines to the dotted line position shown in Figure 2, with the lug slipping away from the block as the spring 17 takes its load and completes the swinging movement.

A picture receiver 88 extends through a side wall of the cabinet and is generally disposed in the path of the trays 35. This receiver is provided above its near side wall 89 with a horizontal stop 9t, which is adapted to be engaged by the depending arm 41 upon a passing tray to swing said tray to a position vertical to its normal plane and drop the finished plate or photograph into said receiver, from whence it may be picked u by the sitter.

In one or more appropriate positions adjacent the recess I0, a suitable flash lamp 92 is provided to provide the necessary illumination for 4 exposure of each plate, which lamp is energized as the plate is centered below the lens l5 by means of a suitable switch 93 which is mounted upon the circular disk 2| and is tripped alternately by upstanding pins 94 mounted upon the rim of the table 29.

The machine 2 is set in motion in response to the insertion of a coin into a coin lock 96 to close a suitable circuit, which is automatically opened again when the arms again reach the position shown in Figure 2. The coin lock is preferably placed on the front of the cabinet I convenient to the sitter, so that when he is seated in front of the recess in, he can reach the lock and after dropping his coin into the lock can compose him self ready for the portrait to be taken. The room surrounding the cabinet is preferably indirectly lighted, so that no light falls within the recess and that the plate can be carried into its focal plane in the camera without fogging. When the machine is set in motion, a tray 35, having previously been supplied with a plate from the magazine in or H, passes under the lens l5 and when in proper alignment therewith, one of the upstanding pins 94 trips the switch 93 to cause the flashing of the lamp 92, thus causing the exposure to be made.

When the tray is removed from under the camera body 14, the port 48 of the rib 46 and its spout 49 of the arm carrying the now exposed plate, comes into register with the port 53 which is in communication with the developer tank 62, so that an appropriate quantity of developer, which is maintained at a suitable temperature, is flushed over the plate to develop it. As soon as the primary development is completed, an arm 66 is engaged by the upstanding arm 39 of said tray 35 and is tilted to spill the spent developer into the pan 68 and as the arm 39 slips off the arm 66 the tray returns, under the influence of the spring 38 to level position and the port 48 moves into register with the water port 54, so that washing water will rinse the adherent developer from the plate. This sequence of tray movements will be repeated and the port 48 will progressively move into and out of register with the remaining disk ports 55 to 60, causing bleaching solution to be applied to the plate, discharged therefrom, washing water to be applied and discharged, next clearing solution, then water, then redeveloping or toning solution and a final wash water which completes the processing of the plate. As the tray moves beyond the final washing position, its depending arm 4! engages the stop 90, causing the tray to turn over far enough to drop the plate into the delivery receiver 88, thus completing the cycle and disposing the finished plate or portrait to be picked up by the sitter.

Prior to the delivery of the plate to the receiver, the tray on the opposing arm 33 passes under the magazine 10 and in so doing, slides an unexposed plate therefrom, which drops into the tray ready for the machine to be again operated.

It will be obvious that the movement of the trays is relatively slow to provide time for the various chemical functions to take place, and that a person may pose for his portrait and after the exposure pass leisurely around to the back of the machine to watch the final machine movements and the toning of the portrait through the window 8, before it is deposited in the receiver 88.

What We claim as our invention:

1. In a photographic machine of the class described, a table with an arm adapted to be roassume tated about a vertical axis for the exposure and development of a sensitized photographic plate, a tray tilta'bly carried by said arm and adapted to receivea sensitized plate, a stationary disk in face-to-faceengagement with the table, said disk having 'apluraiity of liquid ports arranged concentrically of the rotary axis of said table, each portcommunicating with a source oi liquid, said table having a conduit in liquid-delivery'rclation with the tray moving into registry'with successive ports of the disk as the tablerotates for the delivery of the respective liquids into said tray.

2. In a photographic machine of thee-lass described, a table with an arm adapted to be rotated about a vertical "axis for the exposure-and development of 'a'sensitized pho'tographicp-late, a 'tray tiltably' mounted on said arm and adapted to receive a sensitizedpl ate, a stationary disk having an annular rim on one side, said table having an annular rim in iace-to-fa-ce engage ment'wi-th the disk rim, said disk rim having a pluralityof liquid ports arranged concentrically of the rotary axis of the table and in communication with sources of solutions and water, respectively, said table rim having a conduit in liquid delivery relation with the tray moving into registry with the successive disk ports asthe table rotates.

3. In a photographic machine of the class described, a table with an arm adapted to be rotatedabout "a vertical axis for the exposure and development of a sensitized photographic plate", a tray tiltably mounted on said arm and adapted to receive a sensitized plate, a stationary disk having an annular rim on one side, said table having an annular rim in face-to-face engagement with the disk rim, said disk rim having a plurality of liquid ports arranged concentrically of the rotary axis of the table and in communication with sources ofsolution and water, respectively, said table rim having a conduit in liquiddelivery relation with the tray moving into registry with the successive disk ports as the table rotates, the engaging faces of'said rims being inclined in the form of a truncated cone.

4. In photographic apparatus having an exposure station, an upright magazine for holding asupply of stacked photographic plates of which the bottom-most plate is edgew-ise removable,

and a plate support movable from said magazine edgewise'of the platestherein to and beyond said exposure station and tilta'ble from a substantially horizontal normal disposition for dropping a plate therefrom, said support having an upward projection on its trailing end vfor engaging and pushing the bottom-most'pl'ate from said magazine onto said support on movement of the latter in its normal disposition away'fr om said magazine.

5. In hotographic apparatus having an exposure station, an upright magazine for holding a supply of stacked photographic plates of which the bottom-most plate is e'dgewise removable,

and an open-top tray capable of holding liquid and being movable from said magazine edgewise of the plates therein to and beyond said exposure station and tiltable from a substantially horizontal normal disposition to drop" a plate therefrom, said tray having a trailing upward projection at it's open top for engaging and pushing the bottom-most plate from said magazine into said tray-on movement of the latter in its normal disposition awayf-rom said magazine.

posure station, an upright magazine for -ho1ding asupply of stacked photographic plates of which the bottom-most plate is edgewise removable, and a plurality of plate supports movable in unison in one direction in an endless path past "said magazine ed'gewise of the plates therein and past said exposur'e station and being spaced from each other in-the direction of said path, each support being ti-ltable from a substantially horizontal normal disposition for dropping a plate therefrom, and having an upward projection on its trailing end for engaging and pushing the bottom-most pl-ate'from said magazine onto said support on movement of the latter in its normal disposition past said magazine,

'7. In photographic apparatus having an ex posures'tation, an upright magazine for holding a supply of stacked photographic plates of which the bottom-most plate is edgewise removable, anda plurality of open-top trays'capable of holding liquid and movable in unison in one direction in an endless path past said magazine edgewise of the plates-therein and past said exposure station and being spaced from each other in the direction of said path, each tray being 'tiltablc from a substantially horizontal normal disposition for dropping a plate therefrom, and having a trailing upward projection at its open top for engaging and pushingthe bottom-most plate rrom said magazine into said tray on movement of the latter in its normal disposition past said magazine.

8'. In photographic apparatus having an exposure station, an upright magazine for holding a supply of stacked photographic plates of which the lower-most plate is edgewise removable, spaced liquid dispensers, an open-top tray normall-y in a substantially horizontal disposition 'arrd movable from said magazine edgewise ofthe plates therein through said exposure station and successively past said dispensers in liquid-receiving relation therewith, said tray having a trailing upward projection at its open top for engaging and pushing the lowermost plate from said magazine into said tray on movement "of the latter in its normal dis-position away from said magazine, said tray being also tiltable from its normal disposition for draining liquid therefrom, and means for so tilting said tray after passing each dispenser.

9. In photographic apparatus having an exposuie station, an upright magazine for holding a supply of stacked photographic plates 'of which the lower-most plate is edgewise removable, spaced liquid dispensers, an open-top tray normally a substantially horizontal disposition and movable from said magazine e'dgewise of the pl'atesthere'in through said exposure station and successively past said dispensers in liquid-receivrelation therewith, said tray having a trailing upward projection at its open top for engaging and pushing the lowermost plate from said magazine into said tray on movement of the latter in its "normal disposition away from said magazine,

F said tray being also tiltable from its normal disposition into first and second positions for drain"- in'g' liquid therefrom and for dropping a plate therefrom, respectively, means for tilting said tray into said first position when moving between consecutive dispensers, respectively, and means for tiltin'gisaid tray into said second position after passing the last dispenser.

' 10. In photographic apparatus having an exposure station, an upright magazine holding a 6. In photographic apparatus having an exsupply of stacked photographic plates of which the bottom-most plate is edgewise removable, and an open-top tray movable from said magazine edgewise of the plates therein to and beyond said exposure station and tiltable from a substantially horizontal normal disposition, said tray having a trailing lug projecting upwardly from the open top thereof so that the bottom-most plate in said magazine is edgewise in the path of said lug, and is pushed by the latter from said magazine into said tray when the latter is moved in its normal disposition away from said magazine.

11. In photographic apparatus having an exposure station, an upright magazine for holding a supply of stacked photographic plates of which the lower-most plate is edgewise removable, and a plate support movable in one direction in an endless path past said magazine edgewise of the plates therein and past said exposure station, and being tiltable from a substantially horizontal normal disposition for dropping a plate therefrom, said support having an upward projection on its trailing end for engaging and pushing the lower-most plate from said magazine onto said support on movement of the latter in its normal disposition away from said magazine.

12. In photographic apparatus having an exposure station, an upright magazine for holding a supply of stacked photographic plates of which the lower-most plate is edgewise removable, and an open-top tray capable of holding liquid and being movable in one direction in an endless path past said magazine edgewise of the plates therein and past said exposure station, and being tiltable from a substantially horizontal normal disposition for dropping a plate therefrom, said tray having a trailing upward projection at its open top for engaging and pushing the lower-most plate from said magazine into said tray on movement of the latter in its normal disposition away from said magazine.

13. In photographic apparatus having an exposure station, an upright magazine for holding a supply of stacked photographic plates of which the lower-most plate is edgewise removable, spaced liquid dispensers, an open-top tray normally in substantially horizontal disposition and movable in one direction in an endless path past said magazine edgewise of the plates therein through said exposure station and then successively past said dispensers for bringing an exposed plate in said tray into liquid-receiving relation with said dispensers, said tray having a trailing upward projection at its open top for engaging and pushing the lower-most plate from said magazine and into said tray on movement of the latter in its normal disposition past said magazine, said tray being also tiltable from its normal disposition for draining liquid therefrom, and means for so tilting said tray after passing each dispenser.

14. In photographic apparatus having an exposure station, an upright magazine for holding a supply of stacked photographic plates of which the lower-most plate is edgewise removable, spaced liquid dispensers, an open-top tray normally in a substantially horizontal disposition and movable in one direction in an endless path past said magazine edgewise of the plates therein, thence through said exposure station and then successively past said dispensers for bringing an exposed plate in said tray into liquid-receiving relation with said dispensers, said tray having a trailing upward projection at its open top for engaging and pushing the lower-most plate from said magazine and into said tray on movement of the latter in its normal disposition past said magazine, said tray beingalso tiltable from its normal disposition into first and second positions for draining liquid therefrom and for dropping a plate therefrom, respectively, means for tilting said tray into said first position when moving between consecutive dispensers, respectively, and means for tilting said tray into said second position after passing the last dispenser.

15. In photographic apparatus having an exposure station, an upright magazine for holding a supply of stacked photographic plates of which the lower-most plate is edgewise removable, spaced liquid dispensers, a plurality of open-top trays normally in a substantially horizontal disposition and movable in unison in one direction in an endless path past said magazine edgewise of the plate therein, thence through said exposure station and then successively past said dispensers for bringing exposed plates in said trays into liquid-receiving relation with said dispensers, said trays being spaced from each other in the direction of said path and each tray having a trailing upward projection at its open top for engaging and pushing the lower-most plate from said magazine and into said tray on movement of the latter in its normal disposition past said magazine, each tray being also tiltable from its normal disposition for draining liquid therefrom, and means for so tilting each tray after passing each dispenser.

16. In photographic apparatus having an exposure station, an upright magazine for holding a supply of stacked photographic plates of which the lower-most plate is edgewise removable, spaced liquid dispensers, a plurality of open-top trays normally in substantially horizontal disposition and movable in unison in one direction in an endless path past said magazine edgewise of the plates therein, thence through said exposure station and then successively past said dispensers for bringing exposed plates in said trays into liquid-receiving relation with said dispensers, said trays being spaced from each other in the direction of said path and each tray having a trailing upward projection at its open top for engaging and pushing the lowermost plate from said magazine and into said tray on movement of the latter in its normal disposition past said magazine, each tray being also tiltable from its normal disposition into first and second positions for draining liquid therefrom and for ejecting a plate therefrom, respectively, means for tilting each tray into said first position when moving between consecutive dispensers, respectively, and means for tilting each tray into said second position after passing the last dispenser.

RODGER WILLIAM DART. SYDNEY JENKINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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