GB1264959A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,264,959. Coating films. DE VERE (KENSINGTON) Ltd. 7 Aug., 1969 [20 Aug., 1968], No. 39729/68. Heading D1L. [Also in Divisions E2 and E3] Processing apparatus for strip material, e.g. photographic film F comprises at least one elongated container 1 adapted to be filled with processing fluid, spaced apart unidirectionally driven rollers 9 arranged in the container in at least one row extending longitudinally of the container, nozzles 15 arranged within the container and directed towards at least one side of the row of rollers, and a pump 19 for circulating fluid under pressure through the container and nozzles so that the material is held by jets 16 of fluid issuing from the nozzles in frictinal contact with the row of rollers with one side only of the strip in contact with the rollers and to be transported through the container by the rollers. The rollers are driven by a gear train arranged at the ends of the rollers or sprocket wheels are mounted on the ends of the rollers and driven by an endless chain. Guide rollers 13 are provided to deflect the strip at the end of the row of rollers being spaced apart but concentric with the end roller. A cage or lattice 22 is provided adjacent nozzles 15 to prevent wandering of the strip material. Strip material may be fed sequentially through a plurality of containers 1, 2, 3, 4 arranged side by side, tarnsfer boxes 23 having a plurality of guide rollers guiding the strip from one container to the next. Squeege rollers 38 remove excess liquid from the film surface F before the film enters a drying chamber 28, alternatively wiper blades may be used. All rollers used in the apparatus are covered with rubber and the arrangement ensures that the emulsion side of the film does not contact a mechanical surface.