US3804626A - Photographic film unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-processing film unit including an image-recording section, a container for supplying a processing fluid to the image-recording section, and a resiliently flexible carrier permanently attached to the container and separably coupled at its trailing end to the leading end of the image-recording section. The carrier and container are especially adapted to be separated from the image-recording section by deflecting fenders that are spaced in a cooperating camera to engage the lateral edges of the carrier and to bend the carrier with its container into an arcuate path of movement diverging from the imagerecording section. The carrier is notched in both lateral edges at its trailing end, which provides a skirt of reduced transverse dimension that will straighten from the arcuate path and move between the deflecting fenders at approximately the same time the carrier and container are separated from the image-recording section. Thus, the carrier will move itself and the container under the forces of the carrier''s own resiliency to a position where it will not interfere with similar movement of a next successive film unit, and preferably to a generally flat position in a waste-collecting chamber of the camera or a corresponding cartridge in which the film unit was supplied.

Description

9 United States Patent [1 1 Harvey Apr. 16, 1974 PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT [75] Inventor: Donald M. Harvey, Webster, NY.

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

Rochester, NY.

[22] Filed: July 5, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 268,932

Primary ExaminerRonald H. Smith Assistant Examiner-John L. Goodrow [57] ABSTRACT A self-processing film unit including an imagerecording section, a container for supplying a processing fluid to the image-recording section, and a resiliently flexible carrier permanently attached to the container and separably coupled at its trailing end to the leading end of the image-recording section. The carrier and container are especially adapted to be separated from the image-recording section by deflecting fenders that are spaced in a cooperating camera to engage the lateral edges of the carrier and to bend the carrier with its container into an arcuate path of movement diverging from the image-recording section. The carrier is notched in both lateral edges at its trailing end, which provides a skirt of reduced transverse dimension that will straighten from the arcuate path and move between the deflecting fenders at approximately the same time the carrier and container are separated from the image-recording section. Thus, the carrier will move itself and the container under the forces of the carriers own resiliency to a position where it will not interfere with similarmovement of a next successive film unit, and preferably to a generally flat position in a waste-collecting chamber of the camera or a corresponding cartridge in which the film unit was supplied.

27 Claims, 32 Drawing Figures PATENTEB APR 1 8 3974 sum m 0? 12 FIG. 2

PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to instant photography,

' and more specifically to self-processing film units having a first part, such as an image-recording section, and a second part, such as processing materials, that are mutually separable after the initiation of processing.

Self-processing film units of a type closely associated with the present invention, and processing cameras for use therewith, are illustrated and described in my US. Pat. application Ser. Nos. 111,471 and 111,467, entitled FILM UNIT and PHOTOGRAPl-IIC APPARA- TUS, respectfully, both filed on Feb. 1, 1971 and now abandoned. As there presented, the film units each include a container of processing fluid that is releasably coupled to an image-recording section by a resiliently flexible carrier. The camera is adapted to receive and expose a plurality of the film units, and to process the units sequentially, by effecting their endwise movement between a pair of pressure-applying members that distribute the processing fluid from the container across the image-recording section. As the leading end of the film unit exits from between the members, the carrier is engaged by spaced deflectors that bend the carrier and container around one of the pressure-applying members for movement toward a storage compartment located behind the remaining unexposed film units. The image-recording section is sufficiently stiff to resist such bending, however, and is moved along a preferably rectilinear path to a position accessible from the camera exterior. In this manner, the carrier and container are stripped from the image-recording section, and delivered to the storage-compartment, while the image-recording section is ejected at least partially from the camera.

Film units and cameras of the above-mentioned type are believed to be quite satisfactory for their intended purposes, and provide many significant advantages not obtainable with previously known structures. The image-recording or print section can be made accessible outside the camera almost immediately after its exposure. While processing may not be completed as quickly, the accessible print is otherwise in substantially final physical form with at least certain of the processing materials removed. Still, as will become more apparent from the following description, there is room in the above-mentioned film units and cameras for significant and surprising improvements. In one particular area, and by way of example only, the cameras disclosed in the above-identified applications include mechanisms for continuing the application of driving forces to the carrier beyond the nip between the pressure-applying members. This is accomplished first by frictionally engaging and dragging the carrier between the deflecting fenders and a rotatably driven roller comprising one of the members. Then, at a later stage of movement, an additional kicker is employed for pushing the carrier to its final position behind the unexposed film units. Such or similar approaches originally were considered necessary from a practical point of view to effect movement of the film unit parts into their final intended positions. At the same time, however, they require additional parts and complexity, and do not possess the desired degree of control, as exists, for example, when the film units are securely held between the pressure-applying members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, many of the previous problems can be overcome in a manner having features believed to be quite extraordinary in the pertinent photographic arts, not only in approach, but also in resulting advantages. Thus, it has been discovered that additional camera mechanisms are not necessary, or even desirable, for driving certain of the film unit parts beyond the nip between the pressureapplying members. Instead, such parts can be constructed to move, propel, or at least position themselves beyond the nip in an improved manner that requires little assistance from the apparatus in which they are used.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment incorporating the several combined features of the present invention, a self-processing film unit includes a first part, comprising an image-recording section, and a second part, comprising certain processing materials, that are separably coupled together for the initiation of processing. The second part defines longitudinally extending lateral edges that are notched or cut away adjacent to their trailing ends, and is constructed 'to straighten itself at least to some significant extent after being bent into an arcuate configuration that is effective to separate the first and second parts. The notched or cut-away areas define a skirt of reduced transverse dimension that can pass between a pair of fenders spaced to en gage the lateral edges of the second part.

The film unit has particular utility in photographic apparatus, such as a processing camera, having a pair of pressure-applying members that define a nip therebetween through which the film unit is movable to effect its processing. The fenders are located to bend the second part of the film unit into the arcuate configuration as the film unit exits from the nip between the members. This causes movement of the second film unit part along a path that diverges from the first part and brings about its separation from the first part.

When the first and second parts are thusly separated, the trailing end of the second part straightens itself from the arcuate configuration and moves between the fenders to a position that will not interfere with movement of a similar part from the next successive film unit. Thus no camera mechanism need be provided for applying transporting forces to any of the film unit parts beyond the nip between the pressure-applying members.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, the notched or cut-out portion of the second film unit part is approximately equal in its longitudinal dimension to the arcuate length of the fenders so the leading ends of the notches will drop ofi one end of the fenders at the same time the trailing ends of the notches move between the opposite ends of the fenders.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the separable processing materials include a flexible carrier having sufficient resiliency to provide the straightening forces in the second part of the film unit. In the preferred embodiment, disclosed in the present application, the carrier is permanently attached to a container for supplying a processing fluid to the imagerecording section, and the separable coupling is between the trailing end of the carrier and the leading end of the image-recording section. In accordance with another embodiment, disclosed in another of my applications, hereinafter incorporated into the present application by reference, the carrier is permanently attached to a trap for collecting excess processing fluid from the image-recording section, and the separable coupling is between the trailing end of the carrier and the trailing end of the image-recording section.

In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the second film unit part is constructed, and its resiliency is sufficient, to straighten itself and rotate its trailing end through an approximate amount approaching 180 from the nip between the pressure-applying members to a waste-collecting chamber in a film pack or the apparatus in which it is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a selfprocessing film unit in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention with portions broken away to present various elements of the film unit.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the film unit depicted in FIG. 1, including a representation of possible adhesive areas, or the like, for maintaining the film unit elements in their assembled condition.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the film unit depicted in FIG. I with portions broken away to illustrate the relative locations and alignment of the film unit elements.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the section line 44 in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial cross-sectional views generally corresponding to FIG. 4 but respectively depicting only portions of the heading and trailing ends of the film unit to illustrate the operation of certain film unit elements during processing of the film unit.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view generally corresponding to FIG. 4 but illustrating the film unit in a condition after the completion of processing when processing materials have been separated from the leading and trailing ends of an image-recording section thereof to provide an unencumbered final print.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a film pack including a plurality of the film units depicted in the preceeding figures. Portions of the film pack casing are shown broken away to present locating and feeding elements of the illustrated structure.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view representing the film pack depicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the film pack taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 8, with a central section removed to illustrate an assemblage of the film units as they would appear after a protective cover or dark slide has been removed and one of the film units has been processed.

FIG. 11 is a partial view of the film pack with portions removed to illustrate feeding, gating, and locating structure in a section of the casing adjacent to its exit opening.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the film pack taken along line l2 12 of FIG. 8 with a central portion removed and with parts broken away to illustrate internal portions of the film pack. Like FIG. 10, the pack is depicted as if the protective cover had been removed and one of the film units had been processed.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of a camera usable with the present invention and having portions broken away to illustrate internal structure of the camera and a film pack received in the camera.

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of an internal shell comprising part of the camera depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14. A film pack is received in the shell, and portions of the shell and pack are broken away to illustrate their cooperation.

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the camera and film pack with portions broken away to present the feeding, gating, and locating elements at one end of the camera and pack.

FIGS. 17 21 are partial side views corresponding to FIG. 16, with portions broken away, to represent the operation of various elements including those for the feeding, gating, and locating of the film units.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are partial views of film, pack, and camera elements for deflecting and moving parts of the film unit into a waste-collecting compartment of the film pack.

FIG. 24 is an exploded view of internal elements of the camera depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14, with a driving and cycling mechanism for moving and coordinating movement of the film units and their respective parts.

FIGS. 25 28 are partial views depicting the mechanism of FIG. 24 in various positions of operation.

FIGS. 29 32 are partial views depicting a removable portion of the camera, including processing and film guiding structure, and the manner in which that portion is removed from and repositioned in the camera.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, a self-processing film unit and processing camera are illustrated for producing a permanent photographic record of a viewed object or scene. The film unit comprises a first part including an image-recording section for establishing the record in the form of a photographically useful image, and a second part including certain processing materials separably coupled to the first part. Preferably, a plurality of the film units are supplied to the camera in a film pack, which comprises an assemblage of such units arranged in a cartridge or container, and are sequentially exposed by the camera to actinic light or other radiation from the scene or subject to be photographically recorded. After each film unit is exposed, it is removed from the pack and processed, and the first and second parts are separated to provide a record in the first part that is not incumbered by the processing materials removed with the second part. At approximately the same time, the first part is directed toward a position where it will be accessible from the camera exterior, while the second part is directed back to a storage compartment in the film pack where it is stored and subsequently disposed of along with the film pack after the latter is exhausted of unexposed film units.

FILM UNIT The preferred embodiment of the film unit 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, and comprises an image-recording section 3, structures 5 and 7 which respectively supply and collect a processing fiuid or fluent composition, and manipulating means 9 for facilitating handling of the film unit.

The image-recording section is especially adapted for recording a latent image that is processable to establish a visibly presentable image, and for this purpose includes a photosensitive element 11 comprising one or more photosensitive or emulsion layers that capture the latent image and a mordant or image-receiving layer in which the permanent image is ultimately preserved. The mordant layer can be most closely associated with a second or processing sheet 113, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,415,644 and 3,607,285, issued Dec. 10, 1968 and Sept. 21, 1971, respectively, or, preferably, it can be part of the photosensitive elements (sometimes then referred to as an integral-negative-receiver), as disclosed in German Offenlegungschrift No. 2,052,145, published Oct. 23, 1970. For the purpose of understanding a possible chemical system that might be used with the present film unit, the last-mentioned German Offenlegungschrift, and its corresponding U.S. Pat. application Scr. No. 869,168, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT FOR DIFFUSION TRANSFER PROCESSING, filed on Oct. 24, 1969 and now abandoned, hereby are incorporated into the present application by reference.

The process sheet is permanently attached'to the photosensitive element in superposed, registered relation therewith and serves to confine the processing composition between that sheet and the photosensitive element for aiding in distributing the composition over the photosensitive layers. Ideally the composition is distributed in a layer of uniform thickness, and that thickness is determined by side or spacer rails 15 that are adhered between the lateral edges of the photosensitive element and the process sheet through suitable means such as adhesive strips 17 and 119 (FIG. 2). These same adhesive strips also permanently maintain the photosensitive element and the process sheet in superposed registration, but they do not prevent the resilient separation of the element and sheet at their leading and trailing ends and between the side rails to permit the introduction, distribution, and expulsion of the processing composition as will become more apparent hereinafter.

The process sheet is transparent, to permit exposure of the photosensitive layers from a first or top side of the film unit visible in FIGS. 1 and 3, while the final or visibly presentable image, preferably a light-reflective print, is established where it will be visible from the opposite or second and bottom side of the imagerecording section represented at 20 in FIG. 7. Such an arrangement is disclosed in greater detail in the previously mentioned German Offenlegungschrift andcorresponding U.S. Pat. application. Briefly, however, the format can be understood generally by considering a photosensitive element having the following sequence of layers beginning at the bottom or second side; a transparent support; a mordant or image-receiving layer; a white reflecting layer, such as titanium dioxide, for providing a white reflective print background; an opaque layer, such as carbon black, for preventing exposure of the emulsion layers from the second side of the film unit; and various emulsion layers cooperating at least in a color system with complementary layers or material for establishing the colors in the final image. Since the preferred image-recording section is adapted to be exposed and viewed from opposite sides, a rightreading image is produced without recourse to imagereversing optics. Furthermore, by including an opacifier, such as carbon black, in the processing composition, to protect the emulsion from further exposure through the first side of the film unit once the composition is distributed, such a film unit can be removed from the camera before its processing has been completed.

The supply structure 5 is located at the leading end of the film unit and includes a somewhat flexible or crushable container section 21, often referred to as a pod, that is provided with a funnel 23 for directing the processing fluid or fluent composition from the container to the leading end of the image-recording section. The container can be constructed in a well known manner, and includes a rupturable seal at one end 25 for discharging and substantially exhausting the pod contents through the funnel when hydraulic forces are applied to the pod by the camera. The funnel includes first and second sheets having first spaced lips 27 permanently attached to the discharge end of the container and second lips 29 inserted without direct attachment between the leading ends of the photosensitive element and process sheet. Also at the leading end of the image-recording section is a sealing tape 30 in cluding an adhesive activated by the processing composition for sealing, and preventing any leakage of the processing composition from, the leading end of the image-recording section, as will become more apparent hereinafter.

The collecting structure 7, sometimes referred to as a trap, is adapted to receive any excess processing composition that is emitted from between the photosensitive element and process sheet at the trailing end of the image-recording section. This structure includes a tapered lifter 311 defining a collecting void surrounded by a moisture-impervious enclosing sheet 33 that is wrapped around the lifter to confine the liquid and that also extends into the image-recording section between the photosensitive element and process sheet at end 35 to couple the trap to that section. The coupling is rendercd releasable by a perforated or tearing line at 37, so the trap can be removed from the image-recording section after the initiation of processing. The portion of the trap sheet inboard of the line 37 (e.g., toward the leading end of the film unit) is permanently attached to the image-recording section at 39 (FIG. 2) for sealing purposes. Such sealing can be accomplished in a manner similar to that of the leading end by providing the facing surfaces of sheet 33 at end 35 with an adhesive 40 (FIG. 2) activated by the processing composition. Unlike the leading end, however, this sealing adhesive extends on both sides of parting line 37, so that it seals the leading end of the trap as well as the trailing end of the image-recording section to prevent leakage at both places after the trap is separated from the rest of the film unit.

After processing has been initiated, both the container or pod and the collector or trap are intended to be removed from the image-recording section. In the former case, and as will become more apparent hereinafter, this can be accomplished by pulling on the containing part to remove the funnel from between the photosensitive element and process sheet. In the latter case, the removal is accomplished by tearing at line 37, as disclosed more fully in commonly assigned copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 178,101, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT, filed in the name of Hubert Nerwin on Sept. 7, I97], and hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

Handling of the film unit is facilitated by the manipulating means 9, that includes a carrier or coupling strip 41 and a substantially rigid stiffening bar 43. As will become more apparent hereinafter, the carrier can serve many functions, including that of coupling the con tainer or pod 21 to the image-recording section. Such coupling is effected by permanently attaching the container to the carrier at 45 (FIG. 2), but releasably or strippably coupling the trailing end of the carrier to the leading end of the image-recording section at 47. The coupling at 47 is strong in shear, e.g., when the film unit is flat and relative forces applied to the carrier and image-recording section are acting in the plane defined by that sheetand section, but is weak in peel, for example, when the forces acting on the carrier extend substantially divergent from said image-recording section. Thus, automatic separation of the carrier and its permanently attached container from the image-recording section can be accomplished easily by directing the carrier into a movement path that diverges from the image-recording section. As explained more fully hereinafter, a preferred way to accomplish this separation involves deflecting the carrier into a first arcuate path extending around one of the pressure-applying members while permitting movement of the image-recording section along another, preferably straight-line or rectilinear path generally tangent to the pressure members. The various functions performed by the stiffening bar also will become apparent hereinafter in connection with stacking, feeding, gating, and deflecting of various portions of the film unit. Certain of these functions are disclosed with even more particularity in commonly assigned copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,940, MENT, filed in the name of Donald M. Harvey on even date herewith.

The various parts of the film unit are manufactured with their preferred methods of transportation or manipulation in mind. Thus, the carrier sheet 41 is flexible to permit its longitudinal bending into a semicylindrical configuration, so it can be deflected into an arcuate movement path extending around or encircling one of the pressure-applying members, but also is resilient, so that it will tend to return both itself and its permanently attached container at least a significant extent toward a generally flat condition after such bending has occurred. The image-recording section preferably has similar properties with even greater emphasis on stiffness, to promote its proper generally straightline movement and to thereby insure its effective separation from the carrier. It has been found that these properties can be satisfied consistently when the photosensitive element and process sheet include supports of polyester film base material about 0.004 to 0.006 inches thick, and when the carrier sheet is cut from the same material about 0.004 to 0.007 inches thick or perhaps slightly thicker. For a single preferred thickness of the carrier, 0.005 inches would be chosen at the present time.

The relative widths of the film unit parts also have been established to satisfy various different and important functions that greatly improve the operation of the film unit. While these functions will become more apparent from the following description, it will be mentioned here that the leading end of the film unit, i.e. bar

entitled FILM HANDLING IMPROVE-.

43, establishes a first transverse film unit width desig nated a, which is the widest portion of the film unit. The corresponding transverse second width of the central or main body portion 48 of the carrier is designated 1) and is approximately the same as the widths of the image-recording section and trap or collecting structure. The trailing end or skirt 49 of the carrier defines a third width designated c that is less than the width of the main body portion or image-recording section by approximately 0.280 inches and is established by notched or cut-out areas in the lateral edges of the carrier adjacent to its trailing end.

Film Pack Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 8l0, a preferred film pack 51 is illustrated for supplying a plurality of the above-described film units to a processing camera. The film pack includes a stacked assemblage 53 of the above-described film units housed in a cartridge casing 55 comprising two cooperating parts 57 and 59 that are molded or otherwise formed from plastic, sheet metal and/or other suitable material. The casing defines an internal chamber including a first section or compartment 61 for receiving the unexposed film units and a second section or compartment 63 for receiving at least certain of the waste materials left over from the film processing operation. As will become more apparent hereinafter, each film unit is exposed, in turn, through an aperture 65 in the first section, and is removed from the pack through an exit aperture or slot 67 during the corresponding processing operation. After the initiation of each such processing operation, certain of the processing waste materials are reinserted into the second section of the chamber through an entrance aperture or opening 69 spaced from exit slot 67 by end wall 71 of the casing.

Inside the first section, the film units are received in unconnected stacked relation as best illustrated in FIG. 10. In order to prevent premature exposure of the film units, prior to loading of the pack into the camera, the film assemblage is provided with a dark slide or cover sheet 72 that is constructed and handled in substantially the same manner as the film units except that it does not include the photosensitive layers, supplying or collecting structures, or the like. The image-recording sections of adjacent film units are urged into contacting relationship and present the thinnest portion of the stack, while the thicker pod and trap sections splay outwardly from the image-recording sections in the manner illustrated. In addition to compactness, it is important in such an arrangement that the image-recording sections be generally flat, so the forwardmost film unit will be accurately positioned for exposure, and that various parts of the film unit, such as the rigid bar 43, be accurately located for engagement by film-feeding members of the camera. It has been found that such positioning and locating can be enhanced by shaping or tapering the pods and the traps from thinner profiles adjacent to the image-recording section to thicker profiles adjacent the leading and trailing ends of the film unit, thereby achieving the predetermined splayed positions of the pods and traps found to be most suitable for insuring consistent performance. Similarly, the bars 43 are provided with bent tabs 73 thatassist in establishing the desired location of at least the forwardmost film units. A more detailed description of the tabs 73, as well as their intended functions, is presented in commonly assigned copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,974, entitled FILM UNIT DIVERTER BAR WITH COLLAPSIBLE SPACER MEANS, filed in the name of Henry J. Bartnick on even date herewith.

A pressure plate or platen 75 is provided in the first cartridge chamber for supporting the image-recording sections and is resiliently urged toward the cartridge exposure aperture by resilient springs or legs 77. Resilient extensions 79 and 81 also are provided for supporting the containers or pods and collectors or traps, respectively, in their previously mentioned splayed configurations.

Access to the film units for feeding purposes is permitted by elongate slots 83 provided in the same cartridge wall 85 that defines the cartridge exposure aperture. At the same time, however, the first chamber section is protected from light entering those slots by walls 87, 89 and 91 that essentially close or isolate the slots from the unexposed film units in the chamber. The leading ends of the slots are most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, and include bar locating surfaces 93 and 95 that are defined by the ends of walls 87 and 89, respectively, to accurately and certainly establish the position of the bar associated with the forwardmost film unit. For reasons that will become more apparent hereinafter, it should be noted that the bar of the forwardmost film unit is located above an externally accessible surface of the bottom walls or ramps 89 of slots 83 prior to the positioning of the pack in the camera. The functions of various cartridge elemens including the slots 83, walls 87, 89 and 91 and locating surfaces 93 and 95 are more fully described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,975, entitled FILM PACK, filed on even date herewith in the name of Chester W. Michatek and now abandoned.

The second section or sub-chamber 63 of the cartridge is located generally on the opposite side of the first chamber section from the exposure aperture, and at the leading end of the cartridge, to extend under the camera pressure-applying members. This second section is defined in part by the interior of the cartridge chamber and by an extension or porch 96 for supporting the carriers 41 and containers 21 in stacked relation after their separation from the corresponding imagerecording sections during processing.

The carriers and containers are directed into the second section by guide means of the camera and by the cartridge fender guides 97 that are adapted to engage the tips of each film unit bar when the bars first enter this section of the cartridge. Thereupon, the carriers and containers are moved up ramps 99 and into engagement with the narrowed portion 101 of the cartridge side walls. It will be remembered that the carriers 41 are resiliently flexible, and the raising of their ends at ramp 99 has a tendency to urge their opposite ends into flat engagement with the floor of porch 96. Similarly, the notches at the trailing ends 49 of the carriers become locked or restrained behind the abutments 103 to retain the carrier and container in the second or waste-collecting section of the cartridge with the narrowest portion or trailing end of the carrier extending outwardly from the cartridge between the abutment surfaces 103. The functions of various cartridge elements such as the porch 96, guides 97, ramps 99 and abutment walls 103 are more fully described in commonly assigned copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,939, entitled IMPROVED FILM CAR- TRIDGE, filed on even date herewith in the name of Chester W. Michatek.

Camera Referring now to FIGS. 13 15, a processing camera is illustrated for sequentially exposing and effecting processing of the film units and also for separating certain parts of each film unit, such as theprocessing waste materials, from certain other parts, such as the image-recording section, after the initiating or processmg.

Considering the general functional operation of the preferred camera first, each film unit is transported endwise after its exposure by a feeding mechanism that is effective to move the film unit from its exposure position to a processing nip defined between a pair ofjuxtaposed pressure-applying members. At least one and preferably both of the pressure-applying members are rotatably driven for engaging and applying compressive pressure to the film unit while pushing it through and progressively beyond the processing nip to effect its processing. Adjacnet to the side of the pressureapplying members opposite the exposure position, a deflecting mechanism is provided for engaging the separable waste materials and'for directing such materials into an arcuate path extending around one of the pressure-applying members toward a collecting position. The image-recording section does not follow the arcuate path of the waste materials, however, but moves along a different, preferably straight-line or rectilinear path that effects its separation from the waste materials as it is directed toward a position accessible from the camera exterior.

More specifically, and still referring to FIGS. 13 15, the camera casing is of the rigid or non-folding type including an objective or lens 127 and an exposure control mechanism or shutter 128 (FIG. 15). The camera is aimed during an'exposure by means of a viewfinder 133 that is optically aligned with the lens, and is actuated by a body release 135 slidably mounted in the camera casing. After exposure of the film unit, its processing is initiated by pushing on a clutch release button 137 and then pulling on a lanyard tab 139, as will become more apparent hereinafter.

To load the film pack into the camera, loading door 141 is unlatched by means of release 143 and is pivoted to an open position about hinges 145. The film pack then can be moved generally endwise and forwardly until a locating slot 147 (FIG. 15) in the cartridge wall 85 engages a cooperating rib 149 of the camera, and the abutment walls 103 of the cartridge snap behind l0- cating tabs 151 on arms 153 extending from a camera mechanism plate or supporting shell 155. The transverse position of the film pack relative to the camera is thus established by the camera rib 149 and cartridge slot 147, while the longitudinal position is established by engagement between the camera tabs 151 and cartridge walls 103 under the resilient influence of a leaf spring 156 carried by the opposite end of shell 155.

Referring now to FIGS. 1621, the shell also supports a film-feeding mechanism including a slider or shuttle 157 for moving the film units from their initial exposure position into driving engagement with the pressure-applying members 159 and 161. The shuttle is mounted for rectilinear reciprocation by pins 163, and 167 (FIGS. 15 and 26), that are secured to the shell and extend through corresponding elongated slots in the shuttle. The film engaging portions of the shuttle include a pair of narrow and vertically oriented fingers 168 adapted to be received in the cartridge slots 83 to bring their first abutment or pushing surface 169 and their second abutment or holding and gating surface 171 into operative relation with the film units.

From a comparison of FIGS. -12, illustrating the film pack prior to its loading into the camera, and FIG. 16, illustrating a portion of the pack after such loading, it will become apparent that, upon loading, the bar 43 at the leading end of the forwardmost film unit is pushed by the shuttle finger abutment surface 171 from a first location engaging the cartridge step 93 in alignment with the exit aperture 67, to a second location out of engagement with the step, and out of alignment with the exit aperture. From that position (FIG. 16), and after the forwardmost film unit has been exposed, the shuttle is moved along slot 83 to a retracted position (FIG. 17) until the shuttle abutment or pushing surface 169 clears the bar and permits its movement back into engagement with step 93 and into alignment with the cartridge exit aperture 67. The shuttle then is moved toward its first or original position (FIG. 18), to push the bar or leading end of the film unit into driving engagement with the pressure-applying members. The pressure-applying members preferably are limited in their relative movement toward each other to establish a slight initial spacing for facilitating entry of the film unit into the pressure nip defined between those members.

Consistently accurate alignment between the shuttle pushing surfaces 169 and the forwardmost film unit can be established by maintaining the pushers or fingers 168 of the shuttle in or close to slideable engagement with the cartridge ramp or wall 89, while locating the bar, at least immediately prior to its feeding, against surfaces 93 and 95 of walls 87 and 89. This feature of the cartridge and feeding mechanism is described more fully in the previously mentioned Michatek application Ser. No. 268,975.

As described more fully in my commonly assigned US Pat. application Ser. No. 268,931, entitled FILM FEEDING AND GATING, filed on even date herewith and now abandoned, the relative configurations and orientations of the film unit, cartridge, and feeding elements also provide an especially reliable gating means for ensuring that only one film unit at a time is fed from the cartridge to the pressure-applying members. Briefly, and referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, it will be seen that the holding or gating surfaces 171 of the shuttle fingers 168 engage and maintain the bar of the next successive film unit below the cartridge exit aperture so it cannot accidentally be fed from the cartridge with the exposed film unit. This is permitted by the relative widths of the film unit parts depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, that permit the feeder fingers to straddle the forwardmost film unit being fed out of the cartridge so that the holding or gating surfaces of those fingers extend past the plane of that film unit to engage the bar of the next film unit.

Referring next to FIGS. 18-21, further transporting of the film unit is effected by rotating at least one and preferably both of the pressure-applying members in engagement with the film unit. The members themselves preferably are rollers approximately threeeighths of an inch in diameter that are treated by sand blasting or the like, to increase their driving coefficient of friction, and that are sufficiently hardened to prevent damage from the film unit bars 43 or bar tabs 73. The rollers apply a transporting force to the film unit that progressively pushes the unit endwise through the nip and from between the rollers in a direction generally tangential to the rollers at their nip. Upon exiting from the nip between the rollers, however, the bar 43 at the leading end of the exposed film unit is pushed into engagement with a first pair of spaced deflecting fenders 173 that extend across the tangential path of movement to deflect the bar, and with it the leading end of the film unit, into an arcuate path extending around one of the rollers and toward the second or waste-collecting section 63 0f the film pack. The first pair of fenders are spaced laterally by an amount less than the bar width a (FIG. 3) but greater than the carrier or film width b. Inside the first pair of fenders, and entirely on one side of the tangential direction of movement, are a second pair of deflecting fenders 175 that are spaced by an amount less than the carrier width b but greater than the skirt width 0. These second fenders conform the main portion 48 of the carrier to substantially the same arcuate path defined by the first fenders and followed by the bar 43.

The first and second pairs of fenders are laterally offset but otherwise are essentially concentric, except for an introductory portion 177 (FIG. 18) of the second pair of fenders that is relieved to prevent any jamming in case the bar flexes slightly between the first set of fenders. The first or outermost fenders also are aligned laterally with the cartridge bar ramps 97 to define an arcuate path for the bar that continues from one end adjacent to the nip between the rollers to an opposite end extending into the porch of the cartridge wastecollecting compartment 63.

When the image-recording section exits tangentially from the rollers, its inherent stiffness causes it to continue to move in a generally straight-line path whereby it passes between the first or outermost fenders but over guiding surfaces 179 of the innermost fenders toward a position where the image-recording section will be available for retrieval from the camera exterior. Thus, as previously mentioned, one part of the film unit comprising waste materials and including the carrier, the bar, and the exhausted container, is directed along one path; while a second, useful part of the film unit for supporting the final print, and including the imagerecording section, is permitted to move along another path. Such movement of the different parts along paths that are relatively diverging effectively separates or strips the useful and waste parts from each other to provide an image-recording or print section that is not incumbered by the separated waste materials. As illustrated in the present application, only the processing materials at the leading end of the film unit are removed automatically by the camera. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, however, illustrated and described in my commonly assigned copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,938, entitled IM- PROVED FILM UNIT, filed on even date herewith,

v and hereby incorporated into the present application to straighten itself significantly between the fenders at approximately the same moment it is separated or stripped from the image-recording section. Similarly,'as depicted in FIG. 23, the longitudinal dimension of each notch is approximately equal to the arcuate length of the deflecting fenders (e.g., around 0.50 inches), such that the leading edge 180 of each notch will clear one end of the innermost fenders at approximately the moment of separation and when the trailing end of the carrier passes between the fenders at their opposite ends. Thus, thefinal movement of the waste materials is effected by forces within the materials themselves so that continued driving engagement with the roller or other transporting mechanisms is unnecessary. This greatly facilitates the film transporting operation because all of the driving forces, except the initial film feeding, can be applied at the nip between the rollers, where engagement between the film unit and the rollers is most sccure, without having to rely on any supplemental driv ing means to continue movement of the carrier and container after they have emerged from the nip and separated from the image-recording section.

Referring now to FIGS. 24-28, a preferred driving and cycling mechanism is illustrated for operating the film-feeding mechanism and for rotatively driving the pressure rollers. Pulling on the previously mentioned lanyard tab 139 is effective through this mechanism to reciprocate the film-feeding shuttle through one cycle from a first or advanced position (FIG. 26), to a second or retracted position (FIG. 27), and then back to the first advanced position (FIG. 28), to feed a film unit into driving engagement with the pressure-applying members. Simultaneously, the rollers are rotatably driven during and after the reciprocation of the filmfeeding shuttle, for example through approximately seven revolutions, to effect their previously described film-transporting functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, the driving and cycling mechanism is secured to the camera mounting shell 155 between that shell and a mounting plate 181. The mounting plate is securely attached to the shell through tabs 183 and 185, that mate with and are received in slots 187 and 189 of the shell, and by rivets or other appropriate securing means (not shown), that extend through holes 191 and 193 in the mounting plate and corresponding holes 195 and 197 in the shell.

A flexible elongate lanyard 199 extends from its pull tab 139 through the camera casing and is wound onto a supporting surface of a drum barrel or spool 201 that is rotatably received on a barrel arbor 203 staked at one end 205 to the support plate at 207 and received at its opposite end 209 on a bearing hub 211. The lanyard is resiliently maintained in a wound-up condition by a spiral or scroll spring 213 wound within the drum and secured at one end to the barrel arbor at 215 and at its opposite end to the drum at 217, whereby the lanyard will be returned to and maintained in its wound condition when released. Preferably such rewinding is controlled or retarded by a governor or the like (not shown) to prevent an excessively rapid and possibly dangerous return rate.

When the lanyard is pulled to operate the mechanism, the barrel is rotated on the arbor and drives both of the pressure-applying rollers through an appropriate gear train including a barrel gear 219, an intermediate gear 221, and a pair of meshed roller driving pinions 223 and 225 that are received on the roller mounting shafts 227 and 229. Relative rotation between each of the roller shafts and its respective pinion gear is prevented by respective flats or the like in the gear mounting hole and corresponding flats on the ends of the shafts. As is well known in the art of synchronizing pressure-applying rollers, pinions 223 and 225 have relatively long gear teeth that remain in mesh While accommodating variations in the nip thickness between the rollers.

The shuttle 157 is driven by a reciprocative motion converter 231, of the general type known as a scotch yoke drive. A shuttle driver 233 is mounted for rotation on the barrel arbor by the bearing hub 211 in light functional engagement with that arbor. The driver carries an off-set crank pin 237 received in a cam or com trol slot 239 of a yoke plate 241 that is bent from the body portion of the shuttle to drive the film-feeding members. The shuttle driver is reciprocated by the lanyard barrel through a one revolution clutch including a pawl 243 pivotally mounted on a pin 245 of the shuttle driver and resiliently urged into engagement with a pawl wheel 246 on the barrel by a relatively weak pawl spring 247. After completing one revolution while engaged with the pawl wheel as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the pawl is disengaged from the pawl wheel as shown in FIG. 28 when pawl ear 248 encounters a release finger 249 of a blocking plate 251. The latter plate is rockably received in slot 253 of the mounting plate and is resiliently urged by spring 255 into a block ing position where its finger 249 can encounter and disengage the pawl from the pawl wheel to terminate reciprocation of the shuttle with the shuttle fingers extended as shown in FIG. 18 while permitting continued rotation of the pressure rollers, thereby preventing premature feeding of the next successive film unit. The blocking plate is movable out ofits blocking position by the button 137 or an equivalent automatic clutch actuating mechanism to permit engagement between the pawl and the wheel prior to pulling on the lanyard to effect each cycle of the mechanism. During the lanyard rewinding operation, the barrels pawl wheel ratchets past pawl 243 by overpowering pawl spring 247 while the shuttle driver remains stationary becuase of the friction between its hub bore and arbor 215 and the additional friction in the yoke mechanism and in the shuttle support means.

Referring now to FIGS. 29-32, a roller sub-assembly or carriage is illustrated for permitting the removal of the pressure-applying members and the deflecting fenders from the camera for cleaning. This subassembly includes a main carriage frame 257 that fixedly supports and locates the fenders relative to pressure-applying member 159, which is rotatably supported by the reception of its end shafts 227 in bearing holes 258 in the carriage frame. The end shafts 229 of the other pressure-applying member 161 are rotatably and translatably received in slots 259 of the carriage frame and also in slots 261 of corresponding arms 263. One end of each arm is pivotally coupled to the carriage by a pin 265, and a spring 267 at its opposite end biases it toward the pressure-applying member 159, thereby establishing a resiliently yieldable compressive pressure at the roller nip.

The carriage is releasably retained and located in the camera by a first latching surface 269 adapted to be straddled by an off-set tang 271 of the shell and by a latching bracket 273 pivotally mounted to the carrier

Claims (26)

1. 2. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier sheet is resiliently flexible and said supplying means is bendable with said carrier sheet after supplying the processing fluid to said image-recording section, said carrier sheet having sufficient resiliency to straighten itself and said supplying means significantly and without assistance after such bending.
2. 3. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said carrier sheet has a resilient flexibility approximately within the range of that for a 0.004 to 0.007 inch-thick sheet of polyester film base material.
3. 4. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supplying means includes a hydraulically rupturable containing portion and means for directing the processing fluid from said containing portion to between said photosensitive element and said process sheet, said containing portion and said directing means defining leading and trailing ends of said supplying means, and wherein said carrier sheet extends adjacent to said containing portion and said directing means from a leading end of said carrier sheet adjacent to said leading end of said supplying means to sAid trailing end of said carrier sheet adjacent to said trailing end of said supplying means.
4. 5. A self-processing film unit comprising: a generally rectangular image-recording section including a substantially flat photosensitive element and a process sheet superposed with said photosensitive element in registered relationship therewith, said image-recording section defining lateral margins at which said element and said sheet are permanently secured together, a central portion between said margins at which said element and said sheet are separable for distributing a processing agent therebetween, and a leading end at which said element and said sheet are separable between said margins for permitting introduction of the processing agent to said central portion; a resilient carrier sheet defining a trailing end at which said carrier sheet is strippably coupled to said leading end of said image-recording section; and processing agent supplying means including a container permanently attached to said carrier sheet, said supplying means being in separable communication with said leading end of said image-recording section for delivering the processing agent to said image-recording section between said photosensitive element and said process sheet.
5. 6. A self-processing film unit comprising: an image-recording section for recording a photographically useful image; and a resilient carrier sheet releasably coupled to said image-recording section, said carrier sheet defining first and second lateral edges, a trailing end portion, and a pair of notches in said first and second lateral edges at said trailing end portion.
6. 7. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein said image-recording section defines a leading end, and wherein said trailing end portion of said carrier sheet is strippably coupled to said leading end of said image-recording section.
7. 8. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein said notches each define a substantially rectangular configuration having two open sides and two closed sides, said closed sides extending approximately 0.140 and 0.50 inches, respectively.
8. 9. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 7, including a crushable container for supplying a processing fluid to said image-recording section, said container being permanently attached to said carrier sheet and in separable communication with said image-recording section, said first and second lateral edges of said carrier sheet being spaced transversely on opposite sides of said container.
9. 10. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein, said image-recording section defines a first width, said carrier sheet includes a major portion approximately equal to width to said first width, and wherein said trailing end portion of said carrier sheet defines a second width less than said first width by approximately 0.280 inches.
10. 11. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein said image-recording section defines a first length, wherein said carrier sheet defines a second length less than one half of said first length, and wherein said container defines a third length at least one-half as long as said second length.
11. 12. A self-processing film unit for use in a processing camera, said film unit comprising: a first part including a photosenstiive element for recording a processable latent image and a process sheet for aiding in distributing a processing fluid between said element and said sheet to effect processing of the latent image, said photosensitive element and said process sheet being permanently secured together; and a second part releasably coupled to said first part, said second part including a container for supplying the processing fluid to said first part between said photosensitive element and said process sheet, said second part having longitudinally oriented engagement surfaces spaced transversely by at least a first amount and a trailing end whEre said engagement surfaces are discontinued to provide a skirt extending transversely a second amount less than said first amount, said second part having its own means for providing a motive force at least to said trailing end to straighten at least said trailing end significantly when said second part is bent into and released from an arcuate configuration after supplying the processing fluid.
12. 13. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said second part defines leading and trailing ends between which it is bendable into a semi-cylindrical configuration having a diameter of approximately three-eighths of an inch and will straighten itself rapidly with respect to said leading end when said trailing end is released from such a configuration by rotating said trailing end through an angle approaching approximately 180*.
13. 14. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said second part defines leading and trailing ends between which it is bendable into a semi-cylindrical configuration having a diameter of approximately three-eights of an inch and from which it will straighten itself rapidly to a configuration that is only slightly bowed.
14. 15. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein said motive force providing means comprises a sheet of material having resiliency and flexibility properties similar to those of a 0.005 inch-thick sheet of polyestar film base material.
15. 16. A self-processing film unit for use in a processing camera; the camera including a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members, means for rotating at least one of the pressure-applying members in engagement with said film unit for pushing said film unit from between the pressure-applying members, and a pair of deflecting fenders spaced transversely by a predetermined amount and defining an arcuate path extending around the one pressure-applying member; said film unit comprising: an image-recording section including a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image and a process sheet permanently attached to said photosensitive element for aiding in distributing a processing composition between said element and said sheet to effect processing of the latent image; a container for supplying the processing composition to said image-recording section, the composition being exhaustable from said container to said image-recording section between said photosensitive element and said process sheet; and a carrier for releasably coupling said conainer to said image-recording section, said carrier including a resiliently flexible sheet having lateral edges, defining a first transverse width greater than the predetermined amount spacing the deflecting fenders and a trailing end where said lateral edges are notched to define a second transverse width less than said first width and less than the predetermined amount spacing the deflecting fenders, said carrier sheet being engageable and bendable by the deflecting fenders into an arcuate path extending around the one pressure-applying member to separate said carrier from said image-recording section as said film unit is pushed from between the pressure-applying members, said trailing end of said carrier sheet being sufficiently resilient to straighten itself between the deflecting fenders as it is pushed from between the pressure-applying members and is separated from said image-recording section.
16. 17. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein said image-recording section defines a leading end, and wherein said trailing end of said carrier sheet is releasably coupled to said leading end of said image-recording section.
17. 18. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein said image-recording section defines a transverse width approximately equal to said first width.
18. 19. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein said carrier sheet comprises a generally rectangular sheet of material having flexibility anD resiliency properties within a range substantially the same as that for a 0.004-to0.007-inch thick sheet of polyester film base material.
19. 20. A self-processing photographic film unit movable endwise in cooperating photographic apparatus for initiating processing thereof, said film unit comprising: a first part for establishing a visibly presentable image, said first part including a photosensitive element for recording a latent image that is processable by a fluent composition and a process sheet permanently registered with said photosensitive element for confining the fluent composition between said element and said sheet to effect processing of the latent image; and a second part including a trailing end releasably coupled to said first part, said second part including means for supplying the fluent composition to said first part between said photosensitive element and said process sheet, said second part including a main body portion having transversely spaced lateral edges notched away at said trailing end to provide a reduced transverse width adjacent to said first part and to define an aperture bounded at one edge by said first part and at two other edges by said second part, said aperture being open along still another edge.
20. 21. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 20, wherein said first part defines a leading end, and wherein said trailing end of said second part is releasably coupled to said leading end of said first part.
21. 22. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 21, wherein said second part is bendable into a semi-cylindrical configuration and includes self-propelling means for propelling said trailing end in the photographic apparatus by rapidly straightening itself significantly when released from such configuration after supplying the fluent composition.
22. 23. A self-processing film unit for use in a processing camera having a film engaging member, said film unit defining a first side from which said film unit is adapted to be exposed, a second, opposite end, and a longitudinal direction in which said film unit is movable to effect its processing, said film unit comprising: a generally rectangular image-recording section including a photosensitive element and a process sheet permanently registered in superposed relation, said image-recording section defining a first width and a leading end; and a generally rectangular second section releasably coupled to said image-recording section and including a container located generally longitudinally relative to said image-recording section for supplying a processing fluid to said leading end of said image-recording section between said photosensitive element and said process sheet, said second section further including notched-away areas extending longitudinally from said leading end of said image-recording section to permit relative movement of the film-engaging member from engagement with said second section on said first side of said film unit into engagement with said image-recording section on said second side of said film unit.
23. 24. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 23, wherein said notched-away areas comprise two such areas spaced transversely by an amount less than said first width.
24. 25. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 24, wherein said second section includes a resiliently flexible carrying sheet permanently attached to said container and having a trailing end releasably coupled to said image-recording section.
25. 26. A self-processing film unit having lateral edges and comprising: a rectangular image-recording section including a substantially flat photosensitive element and a process sheet superposed in registered relationship with said photosensitive element, said image-recording section defining lateral edges at which said photosensitive element and said process sheet are permanently attached together and a leading end at which said photosensitive element and said process sheet are separable For permitting introduction of a processing agent between said element and said sheet; a resilient, flexible, and generally flat carrier sheet, said carrier sheet having a leading portion at least as wide as said image-recording section and a trailing portion partially overlapped by and narrower than said leading end of said image-recording section, said trailing portion of said carrier sheet defining a pair of transversely spaced openings adjacent to said leading end of said image-recording section, one of said pair of openings being located in each of said lateral edges of said film unit; and a processing agent container permanently attached to said carrier sheet and in separable communication with said image-recording section to deliver the processing agent to said image-recording section and between said photosensitive element and said process sheet during processing of said film unit.
26. 27. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 26, wherein said carrier sheet is substantially of a symmetrical shape resembling an exaggerated letter T having a cross-bar portion and a stem portion, the cross-bar portion representing said leading portion of said carrier sheet, the stem portion representing said trailing portion of said carrier sheet.

Images