Device for maintaining a photographic processing solution at a predetermined composition

摘要

1,045,450. Delivering measured quantities of liquid. GEVAERT PHOTO-PRODUCTEN N.V. Dec. 18, 1964 [Dec. 20, 1963], No. 51698/64. Heading B8N. [Also in Division G2] A device for dispensing a measured quantity of liquid, such as a photographic processing solution, comprises a measuring tank 13 in which is mounted a syphon-outlet pipe 20, 21, means for automatically controlling the delivery of liquid to the tank from a main supply in dependance upon a predetermined time since the previous delivery of liquid and a float 15 adapted to actuate means S5 to terminate the flow of liquid to the tank when the liquid reaches a level 22 such that it begins to syphon away. As applied to the process of films two identical dispensing devices are located sideby-side as shown, the measuring tank 13 being adapted to be filled with a developer solution from a supply tank 25 and the tank 14 with a fixing solution from a supply tank 28. In operation of the device in a photographic processing plant, the films fed into the plant maintain a motor-driven timing disc rotating so that, after a predetermined time, the disc actuates a switch which in turn actuates switches to start motor-driven pumps M1, M2 to thereby pump the developer and fixing liquids into the tanks 13, 14 respectively. When the liquids reach the levels 22, the switches S5, S6 are actuated by the floats 15 to switch-off the pumps; at this point the syphon action begins and the liquids in the tanks flow therefrom into trays below the legs 21 of the syphons. In order to vary the amount dispensed, adjustable displacers 17 are provided in each measuring tank; alternatively, the displacers may be replaced by sleeves mounted over the ends of the short legs 20 of the syphon so that the level 23 at which the syphon action is broken can be varied. In other modifications, the pumps may be dispensed with and the liquid fed into the measuring tanks by gravity or the liquid in the supply tanks may be pressurized. The tanks 13, 14, floats, syphons and displacers 17 may be made from a plastics material.