Device for wiping liquids off running webs of photographic material

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention is embodied in a device for removing liquid from at least one side of a running web of photographic material which is advanced in a predetermined direction along a predetermined elongated path (e.
g.
, in a developing machine for exposed photographic customer films or in a machine for copying the images of exposed and developed customer films onto webs of photographic paper).
The improved device comprises a rigid stationary wiping member which is adjacent one side of the path and has a convex portion in contact with the one side of the running web in the path.
The convex portion extends transversely of the path.
The wiping member can include or constitute a cylinder or a portion of a cylinder extending transversely of the path and being held against rotation, i.
e.
, the one side of the web rubs against and moves relative to the convex portion of the wiping member.
The convex portion of the wiping member can consist of a hard nonelastic material, e.
g.
, a ceramic material.
The radius of curvature of the convex portion of the wiping member can be in the range of 2.
5 to 10 mm, i.
e.
, the diameter of a cylindrical wiping member can be in the range of 5 to 20 mm.
The wiping member can further comprise a sloping portion in the form of a ramp which is located upstream of the convex portion and slopes in the direction of advancement of the web toward the predetermined path.
Such ramp can be used with advantage in developing machines wherein the leader of a web of photographic material is clamped to the trailing end of a band which entrains the web through the developing machine.
The ramp prevents the clamps for the leaders of the webs from being caught by the wiping member.
The device further comprises means (e.
g.
, suitably positioned guide rolls (such as idler rolls) for maintaining the one side of the running web in contact with the convex portion of the wiping member, preferably along an arc of 10.
degree.
-20.
degree.
.
Still further, the device can comprise a web engaging wiping lip at a second side of the path opposite the one side of such path