Processing apparatus
US5005036A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 1989 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03D3/10
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Processing apparatus for photographic film, particularly intraoral xray film, in which the various processing stations are positioned in a circle about a central rotatable column. The column has an external spiral groove in which rides a pin carried by, and extending into the bore of, a hub which fits around the column. Rotation of the column moves the hub up or down, depending upon the direction of rotation. The hub carries a plurality of arms equal in number to the number of stations, seven in the apparatus disclosed. Each arm has a magnet for attaching a novel film holder which is detachable at the unloading station. After loading a film holder with film to be processed, the holder is loaded into the machine through a spring-pressed loading door onto a loading platform which moves the film holder upwardly to engage it with one of the arms when the door is closed. Raising, rotation and lowering of the hub, arms and film holders is controlled by rotation of the column and proper arm positioning is assured by a novel escapement mechanism. The apparatus provides operation from loading to unloading with a minimum of human intervention, with high consistency of operation, and with tre…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.