US3107596A - Photocopy machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 22, 1963 l 'F T, ARNOLD ETAL 3,107,596

PHOTOCOPY MACHINE OC- 22, 1953 F. T. ARNOLD ETAL 3,107,596

PHoTocoPy MACHINE Filed April 7, 1960 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ara-cpm',

Oct. 22, 1963 F. T. ARNOLD ETAL PHOTOCOPY MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 7, 1960 OC- 22, 1963 F. T. ARNOLD ETAL 3,107,596

PHOTOCOPY MACHINE Filed April 7, 1960 l1 Sheets-Sheet 4 lll/ll,

noo is no'L :if: l' 4 USN Q z: A j?, S 3 j JNVENToRs Fee/rc1: 7.' A19/vow EDGAQ ff. Klv/Ffm! BY SELA/4 -5`. 64261/51154, Je.

Geo/96s B. Creouse Oct. 22, 1963 Filed April 7, 1960 F. T. ARNOLD ETAL PHOTOCOPY MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 l ll l g g@ #we [I] -Ifi INVENTORS Financ/s FAQ/vou: 506A? A. Kan-'Fm Oct. 22, 1963 F. T. ARNOLD ETAL 3,107,596

PHoToPY MACHINE Filed April 7, 1960 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 www Oct. 22, 1963 F, Tf ARNOLD ETAL 3,107,596

PHOTOCOPY MACHINE Filed April 7, 1960 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 vso ISG lbl Oct. A22, 1963l F T, ARNOLD ETAL 3,107,596

PHOTOCOPY MACHINE Filed April '7, 1960 l1 Sheets-Sheet 8 Gsose B. Opal/sc WMe-LQ Afro/@Ney Oct. 22, 1963 Filed April 7. 1960 F. T. ARNOLD ETAL PHOTOCOPY MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 www@ Oct. 22, 1963 F. T. ARNOLD ETAL 3,107,596

PHoTocoPY MAcHrNE Filed April '7, 1960 ll SheelLS-Sheei'I l0 A Trop/Vey F. T. ARNOLD ETAL 3,107,596

Oct. 22, 1963 PHOTOCOPY MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet l1 Filed April 7, 1960 United States Patent O 3,iti7,596 PHTOCPY MACHINE Francis T. Arnoid, Port Jeerson, Edgar A. Kniilin,

Stony Brook, Scian S. Brewster, Jr., Port Jefferson, Y and George B. Crouse, Waiting River, NX., assignors to Peerless Photo Products, Inc., Shoreham, N.Y., a

corporation of New York Fiied Apr. 7, 196i?, Ser. No. 20,722 6 Ciaims. (Cl. 95--89) The present invention relates to copying machines and more particularly to a machine for making photocopies which is particularly adapted to be used in oiiices for quickly making copies of documents.

Heretofore in the prior art several such copying machines have been in use. Some of these machines utilize a heat sensitive transfer mechanism. These heat transfer mechanisms are not suitable since copies made therefrom deteriorate in heat.

Photocopy mechanisms have also been used for many years. These machines operate by passing a photosensitive negative and an original over a glass exposing cylinder which exposes the photosensitive negative to light. The negative is then developed by passing the exposed sheet through a processing solution.

After the negative is obtained, the negative together with a positive sheet is then exposed to a light source and the positive sheet is then processed through a solution in order to develop the positive.

However, some of Vthese machines require both the negative and the positive to be passed through the processing solution together to transfer the image from one to the other. Hence, elaborate structures are required to permit the solution to pass between the negative and the positive.

Many machines have the printing and processing mechanisms incorporated in separate units which take up space and expose the photosensitive sheet to unnecessary light when the sheet is transferred from one mechanism to the other.

It has also been difficult in the prior practice to insure that the bottles containing the different processing solutions are placed in the proper receiving cups so that sometimes the bottles are placed in the Wrong cups and many prints may be damaged before the error is corrected.

Another disadvantage is that the level of the processing solutions cannot easily be determined so that it is difficult to know when more solution is needed.

lt has also been a disadvantage of prior machines that the mechanism for moving the exposed sheet through the processing solution cannot easily be adjusted to the proper level to permit the proper amount of solution to be applied to the exposed sheet.

It has also been found that some prior machines do not effectively prevent mixing of the various processing solutions.

Patented Oct. 22, 1963 ing has resulted in the sheet which sometimes damages the print or tears the sheet.

It has also been diiiicult in present machines to move the exposed sheet out of the light quickly and into the processing unit without an` undue amount of light falling on the sheet and it has been diflicult to prevent stray light from entering the processing unit.

n In most machines presently in use the printis wet when it comes out so that the print must be leftto dry before it can be used.

The present invention eliminates these disadvantages and has for one of its` objects a mechanism for making photocopies in which it is `only necessary to process the exposed sheet alone.

p Another object of the present invention` is to provide an improved photocopy machine which `will prevent the t sheet from sticking to the exposing cylinder and to other Another disadvantage of some of the prior machines is that the contents of solutions in the feed bottles sometimes become contaminatedwith the used contents in the processing troughs thereby necessitatingreplacement of the bottle.

rPhe light sources of the printing units of existing miachines are sometimes ditiicult to remove without the help of expert maintenance personnel.

It has also been found that prior machines `do not provide for adequate control of the intensity of the light used to expose a photosensitive sheet so that the light cannot be adjusted depending upon the type'of print which is desired. l

Prior `machines have also had the disadvantagev that the sheet sticks to the several feed Vrollers and to the exposing glass cylinder. Also, a certain amount of curlportions of the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photocopy machine which enables the level of the processing solutions to be easily controlled so that the` processing solutions will always be at the proper level to give the best results.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photocopy machine which permits the applicators for applying the processing solution to the exposed sheet to be automatically positioned to supply an accurate amount of solution to the exposed sheet without the necessity of iine measuring instruments. p

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photocopy machine in which light sources can be easily removed when they areto be replaced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved photocopy machine in which the intensity of the light source may be easily controlled to give the best results during exposure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photocopy machine which will prevent any stray light from affecting the exposed sheet until after it has been processed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photocopy machine in which mixing Vof the various processing solutions is minimized.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photocopy machine in which contamination of unused processing solution by the used solution is minimized by a novel valve means for the feed bottles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photocopy machine in which the exposed print which is to be processed is quickly removed from the light and is accumulated so that it may be passed through the processing solution at a uniform speed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved photocopy machine in which the feed bottles are clearly identified with the respective cups to assure that the correct bottle is mounted in the correct feed cup.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved photocopy machine in which the level of the processing solution may be easily determined by visual inspection.

Another object of the present invention is` to provide an improved photocopy machine in which friction lis minimized as to prevent the sheet being processed from wrapping itself around any rollers or the glass cylinder and to prevent thesheet from curling up at the edges during the processing operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved photocopy machine in which drying means are provided to eliminate the necessity of a separate drying operation after the prints have been processed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide 3l an improved combined printer and processing unit which is simple to operate and inexpensive to maintain.

Other and further objects of the invention will beY obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur tov one skilled in the art upon ernployment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown'in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specication, wherein: Y

FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the relative positions of an original and a negative sheet during exposure according to one method of operation of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a view to FIG. LA showing the position of the negative and the positive when the image on the negative is to be transferred to the positive;

FIG. 1C shows Vanother method which may be used to transfer an image directly from an original to a positive;

FIG. l is a perspective view,.partly broken away, showing the photocopy mechanism for the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 with part of the covering removed to show the position of the feed cups;

FIG. 3 isa perspective view similar to FIG. l with the processing solution tray removed to show the interior of the machine; Y

FIG.'4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the preferred embodiment of the photocopy machine of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing another embodiment of the processing solution tray;

' FIG. 6 is a plan View of the machine with the cover removed showing the various positions of the parts;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the position of the processing solution tray prior to being fully inserted into the machine;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8 8 of FIG. 6 showing the position of the processingY solution tray after it has been fully inserted into the machine and showing the preferred valve for the feed bottles;

FIG. 8A is a sectional view-taken along l-ine SA-SA of FIG. 8 showing the shut off mechanism for the valve;

y FIG. 9` is a sectional View taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8 showing the driving mechanism for the machine;

FIG. l is an end view showing the gearrrnechanisms for driving the roller assembly of the processing solution trays;

FIG. l1 is a top plan view of the processingsolution tray showing the position of the lroller assembly therein;

FIG. 12 is an exploded kperspective View showing the position of the roller assembly before it is mounted withinthe solution tray; f

FIG. 13 is )a perspective view showing the posit-ion of the roller Iassembly after it has been mounted 4within the solution tray and before Ithe unit is inserted into the machine; Y

FIG. 14 is a lsectional View showing the position of the applicator rollers of the roller assembly when a sensitized sheet is passed therethrough;

FIG. l is a perspective View showing a detail vof the solution tray;V

FIG.` 16 is a detailed perspective view showing rthe operation of the preferred pick-off assembly; Y

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16 showing the various parts of the pick-od assembly; Y

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing details of the feeding platform of the machine; y

FIG. 19 is 4a perspective view showing the means for permitting easy-removal of the light source;

FIG. 2O is a sectional view taken along'line 20--20 of FIG. 19 showing the means 'for preventingraxial shifting of the glass exposing cylinder;

FIG. 2l is a sectional view` showing a modified form of -feed valve;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing another modification of the lfeed valve;

FIG. 22A is a sectional view showing still :another modification of the feed valve;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing a modified for-m of processing solution tray; Y

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing the cont-rol plate from' which the light intensity may be adjusted; and

FIG. 25V is a sectional view showing a modification in which the processing section is an independent and separate unit.

General Method Before describing't-he details of construction of the present invention,v the `general method of photo-printing and photo-processing will be described lbrieiiy.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. lA land 1B, showing one method of exposing, lan original O` having an limage1 lthereon is placed into Contact with the emulsion side F of a negative sheet N. The original O and the negative N are passed over a light source so as to expose the photosensitive negative sheet N and so that the image is impressed Eon the emulsion F of the negative N and a so-called mirror image is obtained.

The negative N and the original O are then separated and the negative N is placed into contact with the positive sheet Phaving an emulsion E thereon so that the emulsion E of the positive P faces the emulsion F of the negative N, as shown in FIG. 1B. The negative and positive are then passed over a light source so that the image is transferred from' the emulsion F of the negative N to the emulsion E of the positive P.

The positive yand the negative lare then separated and the positive is then passed through a processing solution to develop it. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the processing solution comprises an activator solution which develops the positive to bring out the image and a stabilizer solution which sets or iixes the image. Y FIG. 1C shows a different method of printing which is generally known as the print-through method. In .this method the original O having an image I is placed into contact with a photosen-sitive positive sheet P having Ithe emulsion E. The image I faces away from the i kemulsion E of the positive P. The light is passed through bath sheets in the direction of the arrow so that the image is impressed directly on the emulsion E of the positive P. No mirror image is obtained in this case and the positive can be |used as a print after it is processed as described above.

For clarity in description, both the original O and the exposed negative N, when used in .the :exposing step, will -be referred to hereinafter as the original and the unexposed negative N and the unexposed positive F, when used in the printing step, will be hereinafter referred todas the unexposed sheet. After exposure the latter two sheets will be referred to as the exposed sheet.

General Description of Machine For convenience, the invention will first be described generally and the details of construction will be described under special headings below.

Referring :more particular-ly to FIG. 4 the improved photocopy machine II is provided with Ia casing 2 and is adapted to be mounted on suitable stand' (FIG. l) so that a suitablefmagazine 4 of photocopy paper may be stored beneath the machine I to facilitate access to the paper.

The preferred photocopy machine'is of the combinedl exposing and processing type and comprises an exposing section A and a processing section B, as shown in FIG. 4. The exposing section A comprises a rotating exposing transparent cylinder lli, preferably made of glass, which has a suitable light source therein, such as fluorescent light 11, 12 and 13, and which is adapted to expose a photosensitiwe sheet of paper T. A suitable feeding platform 15 is provided to feed the unexposed sheet T to the glass cylinder lli and a suitable takeaoff platform v16 is provided to receive the sheets after they have been exposed to the light source.

The processing section B comprises a suitable processing roller assembly 20 for passing the exposed sheet S through a processing tray assembly 27. A processing tray unit 27 has a pair of troughs 2d` and 22 adapted to hold, respectively, ian activator solution, 23 for developing the exposed sheet and a stabilizer solution 214 for fixing `the image. 7

A pair of applicator rollers 25 are adapted to apply the activator solution '23` to the sheet S and a suitable cam 216 is adapted to pass the paper through the stabilizer solution Z4. An accumulator 39 is provide-d which guides the paper from a feeding platform 311 to the applicator rollers 2S. The feeding platform 3d` guides the sheet to a pair of feed rollers 32 and 33` which in turn feed the sheet S to the accumulator 301.

When it is desired to make a photocopy, a sheet of photosensitive paper T is lremoved from the magazine 4 (FIG. l), and, together with an original, is passed first through the exposing section A and thereafter lthrough the processing section B. The path followed by fthe paper is shown by the broken lines and is in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4.

yThe photosensitve sheet .and the original are passed onto the platform l5 of the exposing section A and are deposited onto the rotating glass cylinder .10 so that it is exposed tothe light of the neon lamps 11 to 131. After the sheet is moved for almost 360 by the glass cylinder 1), the exposed sheet and the original are taken oil the glass cylinder 1l) by a tal/eetl device 50 and deposited ontothe `talee-oil platform lo and moved out of the exposing section A.

The exposed sheet is then separated from the original and is fed to the processing section B. The exposed sheet S is fed by the feed platform y3l to feed rollers S12-33 which quickly move the sheet out of the light and intoy the accumulator 30. In the accumulator 30 the `sheet assumes a zig-zag position, -as shown in. FIG. 4,

and the exposed sheet is then moved lout by the applicator rollers 25 of the processing roller assembly 201. The applicator rollers 2S `apply an activator solution 23 from tray 21 to the sheet to develop the image. The sheet is then moved by separator-cam 26 into the stabilizer solution 24 in tray 22 to lix the image.

The processed sheet may then be moved out of the machine through a suitable exit opening 34. As the paper passes through the opening 34, a suitable drier 3S may be activated to dry the prin-t when it comes out of the machine.

FIG. 25 shows an embodiment of the invention in .which the processing section is in a separate unit.

The operation of this embodiment is similar to the operation ofthe processing section B of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, described above. The exposed sheet U is passed over fa feed platform ld between the feed rollers 1811-182 and into the accumulator ldd assumes a zig-zag shape.

From the accumulator 183 the sheet is grasped by the applicator rollers 34 which apply the activator solution where it '185 to the sheet U and it is then passed'iby a cam 1861 through the kstabilizer solution i557 and out through the front opening in the machine in a manner similar to that described in FIG. 4.

Exposing Section (FIGS. 1 and 3) mounted on side plates i9 of `the ma- 6 chine and has a front upwardly extendingportion l (FIGS. 1 and 4) which is adapted to direct the paper to the glass cylinder lll.

The glass cylinder lil is supported lby a plurality of endless belts 4i) which pass over a plurality of rollers 4l, 42, 43 and 44 arranged in a rectangular fashion around the glass cylinder 10 (FIGS. 4 and 9) so as to become wrapped around glass cylinder lll for almost its complete yperiphery and to act as a support and a drive for the cylinder 10. The roller 42 (FIGS. l and 6) has a plurality of spaced high portions 45 bearing on the belts 49 to reduce friction.

The roller 44 is a drive roller which moves the belts 40 over` rollers 411, 42 and 431. As the belts 4d are moved, the friction engagement between the rollers and the glass cylinder lib will rotate the glass cylinder l()l and permit it to carry a photosensitive sheet around its periphery and permit it to be exposed to the light sources `1l to 13` there within. A pair of bearings 45 (FIG. 20) abut the edges of cylinder 10 to prevent side movement thereof.

When it is desired to remove the glass cylinder for cleaning or other maintenance purposes the casing section 2A (FIG. 2) is first removed and the fastener element 19A is then removed. This releases roller 4l which can then be lifted together with the belts 40 to permit removal of the glass cylinder 1i).

A light shield 47 is provided within `the glass cylinder 1th to span the portion of the glass cylinder 10 between the rollers 41 and 44 which is not covered by belts 40 to prevent light from entering the processing section B which should be in darkness.

The unexposed sheet and they original are rotated with vthe glass cylinder l@ during exposure for almost the full periphery of the glass cylinder 1d: and is then removed from the glass cylinder It) by the pick-off assembly 5d shown Iin FIG. 4.

The pick-off assembly Sil is shown in more detail in FIGS. 16 and 17 and comprises a body portion 5l mounted on a supporting rod 52 which is adapted to be mounted in a slot 53 (FIG. 16) provided in the rails y17. The rear edge 54 of the body portion 5I is adapted t0 abut the bottom of `the feeding platform 15 (FIG. 4) and the top of body 51 may have the word Top or some other suitable indicia thereon to indicate the proper manner in which the pick-olf assembly 5@ is to be mounted into the machine. The front of the body portion S1 is provided with a pair of clamping members 55 adapted to clamp a pick-olf blade 56 therebetween which abuts the glass cylinder 10 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 16. The pickoff blade 56 is adapted to be adjustably mounted between the clamping members 5S so that it will abut against the glass cylinder 10 and so that it will permit the blade 56 to be removed and inverted when oneedge thereof wears out. The pick-off blade 516 is preferably made of a suitable material to prevent generation of static electricity. After exposure, the sheet T is lifted olf the glass cylinder lli by the pick-off blade 56, vas shown in FIG. 16, thereby Srevriting the sheet T from sticking to the glass cylin- When the sheet is picked off the glass cylinder it is deposited on the take-off platform :16 (FIG. 4) from which itmay be removed by the operator. In the operation of the exposing section A, the sheet 1s passed over the feed platform 15 and between rotating glass cylinder 10 and the supporting belts 40. The light sources within the glass cylinder i0 are `turned on so as to expose the unexposed sheet T to Ithe light rays so that the image of the original will be impressed on to the emulsion on the sheet T.

The sheet T makes almost a complete revolution over the rotating cylinder .10* and is stripped off the glass cylinoperator and the exposed sheet may then be passed to the processing section B, hereinafter described in detail, to develop it.

Lighting Control The light for exposing the photosensive sheet T, as described above, is provided by the neon lamps 11, 12 and 13 lying the cylinder `1t). The lamps are of the elongated type and may be provided with suitable filters (not shown) to control the quality of the light. These lters may be color til-ters to permit exposure of the sheet to light having different colors.

The lamps 11 to 13 are mounted at opposite ends in suitable socket `assemblies `60 and 61, asshown in FIG. 6. The socket assembly 61 is preferably mounted on a plate 62 (FIG. 19) which is pivotally mounted at `63 on a suitable bracket -d'and adapted to be fixed to the bracket 64 by means of a thread screw `65. When it is desired to remove the lamps 11, 12 or 13 the thread scr-ew 65 is loosened and the plate 62 is swung out as sho-wn in FIG. 19 and the lamps are then ready to be replaced. After new lamps are then ready in the glass cylinder 1GB the swinging plate `62. is moved to its original position on the bracket `64, as shown in FIG. 2, and the thread screw 65 is screwed in place to lock the plate 62 in place.

The lamps 11, 12 `and 13 are adapted to be controlled so that the intensity of the light used for exposing may be adjusted. This control mechanism is shown in FIG. 24. The main switch 70 starts the machine. When it is desired to expose a sheet, the lamp butto-n 71 is pushed Y which will light up lamps 11 and v12. It will be understood of course that the suitable means may be provided so that the two lamps 1f1 and 12 are `automatically lit when the sheet is inserted into the glass cylinder 10.

The intensity of the light of the lamps 11 and 12 is controlled by a suitable indicator 72, which may be rotated in accordance with the indicia on panel 73 rto ac-V tuate suitable rheostats which control the power supply to the lamps 11 and 12 to control the intensity of the light. Thus, if the indicator '712 is moved to the right, less light will be used which makes the image darker, whereas if the indicator is moved to the left, more light is used, which will make the image lighter.

If more light is needed for a particular print fthe third lamp 13 may be lit by pushing the extra-ligh button 74. This will light all three lamps 11, 12 and 13 to give the necessary additional light required.

Processing Section The processing section B is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 8.

The processing section B comprises the feed platform l 31 which directs the exposed sheet S betwen feed rollers 32 -and 33 (FIG. 4). The feed platform 31 is removably mounted on a pair orf rails 76 and is provided with a stop '77 at its forward end which snaps in front of rails 76 to lock the feed platform 31 in position. As shown in FIG. 18, the platform 31 has a pair of guide bars 78 adjustably mounted thereon by means of set screws 79 riding on slots 80 in plates 311, permit the machine to take sheets of varying widths. Y

They feed roller 32 (FIG. 4) is preferably made of metal -and is pressed by 'a spring 82 against roller 33 which is preferably provided with a resilient rubber outer sleeve 83. This use of va metal roller Vtogether with a roller with a soft outer covering minimizes friction andV reduces surface tensioncn the sheet S being fed thereto by the feed platform 31. Y

The feed rollers 32 and 33ymove the sheet to theV top opening S6 of the accumulator 3d. Accumulator3i)` has an opaque coatingrsuch as a Yblank surface, on the rear outside surface 85 to prevent any stray light from the exposing section A fromentering therein. The accumulator 3o is also provided withY corrugations 87 Von its inside surface to reduce `friction and to eliminate the possibility of the paper sticking against the sides of the accumulator Si?.

8 Y The accumulator is shaped so as to be wide at the top opening $6 and narrow on the bottom opening 88 so that the sheet entering therein will be fed directly between the applicator rollers 25' of the processing roller assembly 20. The feed rollers 32 and 33 operate faster than the applicator rollers 215 so that the exposed sheet is taken quickly out of the light by rollers 32 and 33 and is stored in the accumulator, where it assumes the zig-zag shown in FIG. 4. The sheet is then slowly taken out of accumulator 3% by the iapplicator rollers 25 and is moved through the processing roller assembly 20 at a slower and more uniform rate to permit uniform processing.

The roller assembly 20 comprises a tray assembly 27 and a roller assembly 2li (FIGS. l2 and 13). The base 91 of the processing section B is provided with an integrally formed rib 92 which cooperates with a concavity formed by upstanding yrib 9'3 in the tray assembly 27 to permit accurate positioning of the tnay assembly 27 with respect to the accumulator 36' and permit the applicator rollers 25 to receive the sheet S directly from accumulator 3l). The `spaced upstanding ribs 94 on base 91 abut theedges of tray assembly 217 and aid in positioning the tray 2,7 and preventing shifting thereof.

The sheet S is moved between the applicator rollers 25 to apply the activator solution 23 thereto which develops the sheet. A suitable spring-pressed roller 95 removes excess solution from the applicator rollers .25. The sheet is then passed through a pair of squeeze rollers 96 and 917 to squeeze excess solution from the sheet S. It will be noted that roller 97 is of smaller diameter than roller 96 so that it does not enter activatorsolution 23V and does not apply any solution to the paper.

A suitable baffle 9d is provided on the rib 93 of the tray assembly 27 to deflect any waves set up in the activator solution 23 and prevent it from going over the rib 93 :and contaminating the stabilizer solution 24.

The ysheet is then passed to the cam 26 which directs the sheet into the stabilizer solution 24 in trough 22 which fixes the image. When the sheet leaves the stabilizer solution 24, it is passed between a pair of squeeze rollers 99 and 160 which squeeze out the excess stabilizer solution and let it drop into auxiliary trough lltllwhich is separated from trough 22 by rib 162 to prevent the used stabilizing solution in trough 101 from contaminating the fresh` solution in trough 22. The squeeze roller 1th) is of a small diameter so that it does not enter the used solution in trough itil.

The rollers 25, `96--9'L and `99'-1tltli preferably have soft outer coverings so that there is a slight flattening of the rollers at the point of juncture between them. This is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 14.

The cam 26 and the solution troughs 2.1, 22 and 416i are provided with divergent ribs '10B (FIGS. 6, 7, 8, l1, 12, i13 and 15) which will act as spreaders toV prevent the sheet from curling.V Hence, no bent sheets are obtained with the mechanism.

The sheet is then passed down to the exit opening 34. The exit opening 34 is also provided with divergent ribs 1G14 (FIG. 3) to form spreaders to prevent the sheet from curling. The drier 35 4then dries the paper to eliminate the necessity of placing the paper on a separate drier before it is to be used;

If desired, the modified roller assembly 166 shown in FIG. 5 may be used. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and comprises a tray assembly 107 having an activator trough 108, a fresh stabilizer trough 169 `and a used stabilizer trough 1:11). The 'applicator rollers 111 apply the activator solution and the cam-sepanator .114 directs the paper to the stabilizer solution.

However, the lower squeeze rollers 112A and 115A enter their respective solutions instead of being of -small diameter :as the rollers 1100 and 97 shown in FIG. 4. It will also be noted that the metering roller 915 (FIG. 4) is not used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

In the operation of the processing section B (FIG. 4), the exposed sheet S is passed over the platform 311 between the .feed rollers 32 and 33 :and into the accumulator 30 where it assumes -a zig-zag shape shown in FIG. 4.

From the lower end 8S of the accumulator 30 the sheet is passed between applicator rollers 25 which apply the 'activator solution ,23- thereto to develop the image on the exposed sheet S. The metering roller 95 prevents excess amounts of solution from being applied to the sheet S.

The sheet S is then passed between squeeze rollers 96 and 97 which squeeze out excess activator solution from the sheet. The sheet is then directed by the cam 26r linto the stabilizer solution which fixes the image on the sheet S. The sheet then passes out of the stabilizer solution and between squeeze rollers 99--100' to squeeze out excess stabilizer solution from 4the sheet.

The sheet then moves out of the processing sections B through the opening 34 where it passes over the drier 35 which dries the processed sheet.

Solution Control It is important that the proper solutions are used in the proper troughs and that the level of the stabilizer and activator solutions :be maintained at the proper levels so that the sheet will be processed by the correct :amount of solution in order to give the best results.

Proper Identification f Bottles In order to 4insure that the proper solution enters the proper trough in ythe tray assembly 27, la pairof cups 120 Iand 121 (FIG. 1l) are provided communicating with the activator Iand stabilizer troughs 21 and 22, respectively, through passageways 122 land 123, respectively.

The cups 120 and 121 lare adapted to 'accommodate the feed bottles 124 l'and 125 (FIG. l) therein to feed the solutions to the troughs. Suitable support nie-ans, such as rubber ring 126 (FIG. 8), may be provided at the mouth of the cups to hold the bottle in place. Wire supports may yalso be used if desired.

To insure that the solutions in the feed bottle 124 yand 125 are fed to the proper troughs, Ithe numeral l may be placed in the bottle 125 to indicate that it contains an activator solution and the numeral 2 may tbe placed on the bottle 124 `to indicate that it .is a stabilizer solution. T nese numbers correspond with the numbers l and 2 on the outside of the casing as shown in FIGS. l :and 3 and also correspond with similar numbers -at the base of the `cups 120 #and 121, as show-n in FIGS. `6 and 11. In this manner the operator will know that the number l bottle (activator solution) goes into the number 1 cup and the number 2 bottle (stabilizer solution) is adapted to be placed in the number 2 cup. Hence, the number' of mistakes is minimized.

Determination of Level It is yalso important to per-mit the level of the solutions in the troughs to `be determined by visual inspection.

To accomplish this, the cups 120 yand 121 are provided with 'a pair of indicator lines 127 and 128 (FIGS. 6 and 8) which may -be of different colors. The inner (lower) line 127 indicates the lowest level of the solution in the trough `and the outer (higher) line 128 may indicate the highest level of the solution in the troughs. If the solution is at these two points the machine will operatewith optimum results. The operator may `thus determine by visual inspection `whether a particular trough has too little or too much solution. Y

The troughs 21 and 22 are lalso provided with level indicators. The step 129 (FIG. 15) with the plus sign corresponds with the high level mark of the upper ring.

128 in the cups` and the step 130 with Ithe minus sign corresponds with the low level mark of the lower ring 1i) 127 in the cups. This permits visual determination of the solutions in the troughs by visual inspection of the troughs themselves.

Automatic Level Control In order to insure automatic feeding of the stabilizer and activator solutions to maintain them at the proper operative levels, the improved bottle valve 132 shown in FIGS. 8 iand 8A is provided. It will be understood that the bottle feed valve 132 will be `described in connection kwith. stabilizer feed `bottle 124, but the same valve may be used for both the stabilizer feed bottle and the activator feed bottle 125.

The valve 132 comprises a clap member 133 threada'bly mounted at its upper end 134 to 4the open end of Ibottle 124. A suitable gasket 135 prevents seepage of the contents out of` the sides of the cap 133.

The cap member 133 has a hollow baille 136 extending y therefrom land rotatably mounted thereon. The baille 136 has 'air holes 137 therein `and fluid openings 138 adapted to permit iluid to pass out thereof. The baiile 136 acts as a wave-breaker and is adapted to prevent Kany turbulence or waves in the fluid in the solution troughs from affecting the contents of the ybottle 124.

The solution is fed to the cups through the filler tube 139 and the aligned opening 139A in the cover 136A of the baffle 136. The iiller tube is of such diameter as to prevent liquid from passing therethrough by means of capillary action. g

An air tube 14@ is mounted in the cap 134. If desired, the air tube 140 may be threadably mounted so that the level of the solution may be adjusted. lWhen the liquid in the cup falls below the opening in air tube 149, air enters air tube 149 through air holes 137 in the baille 136. The air rises in lair tube 140 and `applies pressure to the ,iluid contents in the bottle thereby 'breaking the capillary seal made by feed tube 139 and permitting fluid to be released. When the level reaches the opening in the lair tube 140, no air enters and the feed tu'be 13'9 closes by capillary action. Fluid is fed to the troughs through openings 138 in baille 136.

In normal use, some of the solution will rise in air tube 140. When the bottle is raised, the contents in the air tube 140 will spillback into the cup so that when the bottle 124 is inverted none of the used solution will ow into the unused solution in the bottle to contaminate it.

When the bottle is removed, spillage is prevented by taking the `feed tube 139 out of alignment with opening 139A in baille 136. This is done by providing a ridge 146 in the cup which coopera-tes with ya notch 146A in the lower edge ofbaiiie 136. When the bottle is rotated before being lifted the liller tube 139 will rotate relative to opening :13% and assume the position shown in FIG. 8A to out off the filler tube 139. The pin Iand slot iarrangemen't 118-119 serve to limit the Iamount of rotation of the bottle.

Another modilication of this valve is shown in FIG. 22A.` In this embodiment the baille 141 is a separate unit from the cap 142 instead ofbeing in one piece, yas it is in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. The cap 142 has a filler outlet or tube 143 and an air tube 145. The operation is similar to the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. The contaminated solution will rise in the air tube 145 so that it will not contaminate the contents of the bottle 124 when the bottle is inverted. When thelevel is below the opening in air tube 145, the ller outlet 143 will release fluid until the opening is closed.

FIGS. 2l and 22 show additional embodiments of the valve. As shown in FIG. 2l, the cap 147 is provided with a downward extension 147A normally closed by a `suitable valve head 148` having an arm 149 which is is raised the valve 14S willautomatically shut the bottle opening to prevent any liquid from passing therefrom.

FIG. 22 shows another modification in which the valve head 149 is provided with a spring-pressed shank 150i which maintains the valve closed at all times. In order to permit additional fluid to `enter therethrough the bot- .tle must be lowered against the pressure of the spring to open the bottle.

Cam

mounting the roller assembly 20 within tray unit 27 so that a pin 152 on one side is Vmounted on av permanent journal 153 which is integrally formed on the tray assembly 27 and pins 154 on the other side are mounted in journals 155. It will be noted that with the establishment of the single support between the pin 152 and the journal 153, the roller assembly 29 is angled, as shown in FIG. 7 with the other support pins 154 below their respective journal opening 155.

As the tray is inserted into the machine, the pins 154 will Vbe cammed upwardly by the journal holes S and will be received thereby to raise the roller assembly to its preferred height as shown in FIG. 8 so that the cam` 26 dips into the solution 26 for the required distance only. At the same time the clutch elements 160-161 (more the paper to the processing section. The master -gear 163 is operatively connected toa clutch member 161 as shown in FIGB. The clutch lmember 161 is adapted to be coupled with -gear 171 of the clutch member 160 of the roller assembly which is coupled to several gears -on the roller assembly to permit rotation of the rollers in the roller assembly (FIG. 10). The clutch member gear 171 is mounted on the same shaft as the squeeze rollers 96- to rotate the squeeze rollers 96 and 97.

The gear 2171 also drives gear 172, through idler gear 17 3, which is mounted on the shaft of the activator applying rollers 25 to rotate those rollers. Gear 171 also rotates :gear 174 for stabilizer `squeeze roller 99', through Y the intermediate of idler rollers 175, 176 and 177, to rotate squeeze rollers 99 and 10i).

The several gears used may be nylon-gears to make the operation a silent one. However, metal gears may also be used, as may be desired.

Separate Processing Machine If it is desired to use a separate processing machine, the negative is first exposed on a separate exposing machine (not shown) and is then processed by the machine shown in FIG. 25. This machine is similar to the processing section B of the machine shown in FIG. 4 and will be described briey herein.

The usual feed platform 180 has the adjustable guide Y rails 183 to permit the sheet to be fed between the feed fully described hereinafter) are coupled together so as to operatively connect the roller assembly to the drive as-V sembly. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the side of the tray assembly willI abut against the bottom of the lock member 156 (FIG. 8) on the side plate to hold the tray in place. A suitable latch 157 is provided which is directed downwardly into a notch 158` in the pin 152 -to lock the tray in place. With this arrangement, a three-point contact is effected which gives the proper spacing between the cam 26 and the solution in the stabilizer trough and hence insures that the proper amount of stabilizer solution willV be applied to a sheet passing therethrough.

The cam 26 `is provided with a plurality of openings 200 so that the solution may be raised into the inner areas of the cam 26 when a sheet is passing therethrough to provide an escapement.V When the sheet is passing below the cam 1260i the tray the space taken up by the sheet will displace the stabilizer liquid. This will raise the level of the liquid. In order to provide an escapement for the liquid, the uid is displaced upwardly through the openings 200:. After the sheet passes through, the fluid will descend again to its own level. Hence, every time a sheet is passed through the stabilizer solution a pumping action is effectedV which will raise and lower the level of the uid.

In order to adjust the level of the stabilizer solution when an excess of stabilizer solution is in the trough, the modification shown in FIG. 23 may be used. Conduits 201 are mounted in the Vopenings 200 so that if the solution is beyond a certain level the solution will seep over the conduits 201 and remain inside of the cam and hence,

` F1os. 6, s, 9` and io. A suitabie motor 162 of any desired design is adapted to drive the rollers 41 to 44 (FIG. 9) which support glass cylinder V10 through belts 40, through the intermediation of the master gear 163',

sprocket chain 164, double `gears 165, 166, sprocket chain 167, and driven gears 16S and 169. YGear 169 is on the same shaft as the roller 44 which will rotate the belts40 v and frictionally rotate the `glass cylinder 10. The chain 167 also operates a gear 170` which is'mounted on the f same shaft as the yguide rollers 32 to rotate the guide rollers 32--33 when the machine is in operation and feed Ystray light from entering therein. VThe sheet U assumes a zig-zag shape and is -then taken up by the applicator rollers 184 which apply the activator solution 185 to the sheet. The spring pressed metering roller 1941 prevents excess solution from being applied thereto.

The sheet U is t-henpassed between the squeeze pollers 191-192 sto squeeze the solution from the sheet. A suitable baflle 193 is provided in the wall 4194 between the activator solution trough 195 and the stabilizer solution trough 196 to prevent the activator solution from spilling over into the stabilizer solution. The cam 186 4then forces the sheet U into the stabilizer solution tto set the image.

The sheet 'then passes between a pair of squeeze rollers 197-198 .to squeeze out the excess solution and the sheet then passes out of the processing machine through an opening in the front thereof and over a suitable drying mechanism to dry the sheet.

As Will be noted, the separate processing machine shown in FIG. 25 is similar to the processing section B shown in the combined machine of FIG. 4.

Operation The Y'operation ofthe machine will be obvious from the above description. However, the oper-ation will 4be summarized hereinbelow for convenience.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the origin-al and the unexposed sheet yare passed in the exposing section A by being inserted over thefeeding platform 15 and fed between the belts 40 and cylinder 10. The lighting assembly is turned onto open the light sources 11 and 13 and to expose the sensitive sheet to the light. After vthe sheet has been exposed thesheet is stripped off the glass cylinder10 by the pick-olf Iassembly 50 and is deposited -onto the take-offplfatform 16. Y

The original is then separated `from the exposed sheet which is passed to the processing section B bypassing 'the sheet over platform 31 and'between the feed rollers 32 and 33 and into the accumulator 130 where it assumes a zig-zag shape. `The sheet is then taken out of the accumulator `30 by the applicator rollers 25-25 where the activator solution 23 is applied thereto.

The sheet is then forced by the cam 26 into the stabilizer solution 24 Where the image is stabilized. The sheet is thereafter passed to the squeeze rollers 99-100 and out of the machine through opening 34.

The fluid level Iof the 'two solutions may be determined Lby the plus and minus signs in the troughs and by the two concentric Ilines 127-128 in the cups. The uid level is maintained constant `by the automatic feeding valve on the bottles described above.

As pointed out above, if desired, the single processing machine shown in FIG. 25 may also be used when it is desired tto expose the sensitized sheet on a separate eX- posing machine.

Lt will `be seen that the present invention provides an improved photocopy machine in which only the exposed sheet need be passed through a processing solution and in which the level of the solutions may be easily determined `and controlled.

The present invention also provides an improved photocopy machine which prevents sticking of the sheet to the exposing cylinder and minimizes friction so that the sheet will not Wrap itself `around feedv rollers during the operation. Another object of the present invention is that the curling up of :the sheet is prevented.

The present machine also has an effective means for controlling the level of the processing solution and of automatically positioning the mea-ns for presenting the sheet to the processing solution so that `the right yamount of solution is automatically :applied to the processed sheet.

Mixing of the various solutions and contamination of the solutions in the bottles is also prevented by the present invention and easy identification of the bottles with the proper solutions is provided to prevent any mistake.

The present invention further provides for removing the exposed sheet from the light quickly and preventing any stray light from entering the processing section.

The intensity of the light may be controlled and the light source may be easily replaced if desired. The present invention also has the advantage of permitting the sheet to be dried as it is being moved out of the unit so that the need for an additional drying operation is eliminated.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts'herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A photocopy machine comprising means for applying a processing solution to an exposed photographic sheet, means for feeding said sheet to said applying means, and accumulating means interposed between said applying means and said feeding means, said accumulating means having a receiving opening at one end adjacent said feeding means to receive the photographic paper and having an exit opening at its other end adjacent said applying means adapted to direct photographic paper to said applying means, a tray assembly for said processing solution, said applying means comprising a roller assembly mounted in said tray assembly, said roller assembly being supported in said tray assembly at three points and wherein one of said points of support is on the tray assembly and the other two points of support are on a frame of said machine.

2. A photocopy machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided for locking said tray assembly and said roller assembly in position in said machine.

3. A photocopy machine comprising a tray assembly having a trough for an activator solution and a trough for a stabilizer solution, means separating said activator trough lfrom said stabilizer trough, applicator rollers in said activator trough adapted to apply an activator solution to a photographic sheet, means for feeding a photographic sheet to said applicator rollers, an accumulator interposed between said feeding means and said tray assembly, said accumulator having an opening at the top adjacent said feeding means and an opening at the bottom adjacent said applicator rollers to direct the photographic sheet to the applicator rollers, a hollow cam removably mounted in said stabilizer trough adapted to direct a photographic sheet into a stabilizer solution in said stabilizer trough, said hollow cam having a guide surface extending across the entire stabilizer trough substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the photographic sheet, and an opening in said hollow cam for receiving from said stabilizer trough stabilizer solution displaced by the photographic sheet entering said trough.

4. A photocopy machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein one of said applicator rollers is submerged and wherein a doctor roller is in contact wtih the submerged applicator roller above the level of the activator solution to limit the amount of activator solution sheet.

5. A photocopy machine asclaimed in claim 3, wherein an upstanding conduit is mounted in the hollow cam in communicating relationship with the opening in the cam to prevent excess stabilizer solution from returning to the stabilizer trough.

6. A photocopy machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said stabilizer trough has an unused solution section and a used solution section and wherein said hollow cam is in said unused solution section and wherein squeeze rollers are in said used solution section.

applied to the photographic References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 717,021 Pollak Dec. 30, 1902 1,664,731 Beidler Apr. 3, 1928 1,912,427 Bodan June 6, 1933 2,031,010 Simjian Feb. 18, 1936 2,056,584 Murck Oct. 6, 1936 2,241,104 Grinten May 6, 1941 2,317,655 Broek Apr. 27, 1943 2,732,778 Limberger Jan. 31, 1956 2,792,768 Ludwig May 21, 1957 2,887,087 Jones May 19, 1959 2,924,163 Jaffe et al. Feb. 9, 1960 2,997,937 Limberger Aug. 29, 1961 3,000,289 Horiuchi Sept. 19, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 658,133 Germany Mar. 24, 1938 1,095,416 France Dec. 22, 1954

Claims (1)

1. A PHOTOCOPY MACHINE COMPRISING MEANS FOR APPLYING A PROCESSING SOLUTION TO AN EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC SHEET, MEANS FOR FEEDING SAID SHEET TO SAID APPLYING MEANS, AND ACCUMULATING MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID APPLYING MEANS AND SAID FEEDING MEANS, SAID ACCUMULATING MEANS HAVING A RECEIVING OPENING AT ONE END ADJACENT SAID FEEDING MEANS TO RECEIVE THE PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPER AND HAVING AN EXIT OPENING AT ITS OTHER END ADJACENT SAID APPLYING MEANS ADAPTED TO DIRECT PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPER TO SAID APPLYING MEANS, A TRAY ASSEMBLY FOR SAID PROCESSING SOLUTION, SAID APPLYING MEANS COMPRISING A ROLLER ASSEMBLY MOUNTED IN SAID TRAY ASSEMBLY, SAID ROLLER ASSEMBLY BEING SUPPORTED IN SAID TRAY ASSEMBLY AT THREE POINTS AND WHEREIN ONE OF SAID POINTS OF SUPPORT IS ON THE TRAY ASSEMBLY AND THE OTHER TWO POINTS OF SUPPORT ARE ON A FRAME OF SAID MACHINE.

Images