Ultrasonic cleaning in batch photoprocessing equipment
US6599037B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 14, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03D3/02
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A photographic processor includes a cleaning arrangement which comprises a transducer and an ultrasonic probe. In the system and method of the present invention, a cleaning cycle can be automatically initiated in a batch photographic processor. The automatic cleaning cycle involves the selected control of the transducer and the ultrasonic probe so as to place the probe in contact with cleaning solution in the processor, and the application of ultrasonic energy to the cleaning solution. In order to enhance the cleaning operation during a cleaning cycle, a circular processing drum of the photographic processor can be rotated slowly or intermittently to allow enough cleaning energy to be delivered to various components of the photographic processor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.