BE542747A - - Google Patents

Description

       

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   This invention relates to a still camera and more particularly to a coin operated portrait machine which automatically exposes films and develops a series of such films at the same time.



   In US Pat. Nos. 2,380,378. And 2,541,016 two types of coin operated apparatus have been shown and described where any person can take a series of photographs of themselves on a strip of film. , and which develops the film strip automatically and delivers it to the operator in a very short period of time.

   Although the duration of this development Eight very

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 short, of the order of a few minutes, it is easy to understand that where a certain number of people wait to obtain their photographs, for example in places where there is a lot of crowds, such as railway stations, amusement parks, a considerable number of business is lost because the last people in the line can give up waiting for the people in front of them to have their photographs taken and also developed.

   For example, if we assume that the development time is two minutes and that each person in the line needs two minutes to read the instructions inside the photo booth and pose while taking the photo. photograph, the total duration per person will then be four minutes, which means that if there are four people in the line, the last one will have to wait twelve minutes before their photograph is taken.



   Because of the considerable amount of business missed as a result of the number of people refusing to wait such a long interval before taking their photographs, it has already been proposed previously to develop the photographs of a or several people during the pose of a next person, so that the time is reduced to the time needed for each person to take the picture in the booth, the following people in the line having to wait only for the 'photographs people who precede them are developed.

   However, until now machines of this kind have not been feasible, as they have given rise to a high degree of pollution or contamination between the liquids of the developing baths in which the images are immersed in turn during their development or because they required the use of very expensive and bulky devices to bring in the chemicals and discharge the excess

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 in order to minimize this pollution.

     It will be appreciated that when a single film holder is to be immersed successively in a number of basins containing various developing or rinsing liquids, only a small amount of liquid will be carried by the film holder from one basin to another. the other and that the degree of pollution between the basins will be relatively low.

   However, when there is a significant number of film holders which are all successively immersed in the development basins, whether they carry film bands or whether they are empty, the degree of contamination and the Unnecessary liquid losses are so excessive that the machine cannot be operated successfully unless expensive chemical reloads and pollution control devices are employed.



   Taking into account the above-mentioned factors characterizing automatic photographic apparatuses of the type indicated, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable of automatically developing a substantial number of photographs or film strips simultaneously, as well as of to minimize losses and pollution or contamination between basins without requiring the use of any automatic devices for the supply or discharge of chemicals and water.



   Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic camera comprising a series of film holders which are held in an inoperative position, where they are not immersed in the developing basins, unless they actually contain a film strip to be treated, / the amount of contaminated product between the basins being / reduced to that necessarily produced by the film holders containing film strips
Another object of the invention is to provide devices

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 tives to automatically push a film holder back into an operative position when a film is to be processed, but to keep the remaining film holders in the inoperative position until additional film is to be processed,

   the only film carriers immersed in the development basins then being those which actually contain the developing films.



   A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device for rotating the film carriers between the operative and inoperative positions and to provide an improved device for keeping the developing apparatus in operation during the period of operation. time required to fully develop the last photograph taken by the camera, regardless of the number of photographs taken and the length of time they were taken.



   A further object of the invention is to provide a device for preventing collisions and encounters between the film carriers and between the film carrier and the film carrier selector of the apparatus.



   Yet another object is to provide a synchronization device associated directly with the film holder of the apparatus and distinct from the drive motor so that it is not necessary to provide a separate transmission between the drive motor. and the synchronization device. sation.



   These objects and advantages and others will emerge more fully from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the developing chamber and the chamber of the camera.
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 phique 1'l'o '::: l.'e,;: in said of a cabin or a studio built following the present invention, loes; or.:S::"CL'.J being represented d. the oc-aged e-itre the ï operations "of". in the oicions occa.pees between the operations uçdevelopment: and 1 when it was not intl'o4hlit .1 '' '; coin ¯JiJce.

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   Figure 2 is a fragmentary view on a larger scale generally corresponding to Figure 1, but showing the organs in the positions occupied when a film holder is in use and is immersed in a developer bath. , while the other film holders are not in use and are not submerged.



   Figure 3 is a large-scale vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1 and showing the control or transmission members of the apparatus, the members being shown in the positions occupied when the film holders are lowered as shown in Figure 2.



   Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the broken line 4-4 of Figure 3.



   Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1 and again showing the members in the positions they occupy when the film holders are lowered as shown in Figure 2 ...



   Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing part of the film holder locators in the positions occupied during the film holder registration.



   Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 5 and showing the device for providing positive cam action during part of the cycle.



   Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view taken along line 8-8 shown in Figure 2 and showing the film holders in the positions occupied in that figure.



   Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view taken along line 9-9 indicated in Fig. 2 and showing the step-down device for feeding a lowered film strip from the camera to the film holder apart from this last was brought by pivoting in the operative pooling

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Figure 10 is a section taken on line 10-10 of Figure 9.



   Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view showing the synchronizer device and parts of the apparatus for selecting the film holder, the view taken from bottom to top taken along line 11-11 of Fig. 1.



   Figure 12 is a side elevation of the film holder selector viewed along line 12-12 of Figure
11, the members being represented (as in FIG. 1) in the positions occupied between uses of the apparatus.



   Figure 13 shows the film holder selector and synchronizer seen from the rear of the device of Figure 12, the members again being shown in their inoperative positions of Figure 1 'Figure 14 corresponds to Figure 15 but shows the constituent elements in the positions occupied after energizing the solenoid and lowering the film holder device.



   Figure 15 is a fragmentary view also corresponding to Figure 13. but showing the members in the positions occupied during locking of the pins of the film holder selector.



   Figure 16 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Figure 12, but showing the star piece of the film holders lowered and the solenoid energized, so that the pins of the film holder selector are arranged to rotate the film holders. film holder and bring them to the operative positions.



   Figure 17 is a cross section taken on line 17-17 of Figure 12.



   Figure 18 generally corresponds to part of Figure 8, shows a film holder being actuated by a cane to be brought from its internal inoperative position to the external operative position,

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Figure 19 corresponds to Figure 18, but shows the film holder being actuated to be brought from its external position to its internal position.



   Fig. 20 is a detail perspective view showing a film holder in which there is a strip of film.



   Figure 21 is a section taken on line 21-21 of Figure 20.



   Figure 22 is an enlarged sectional view of the film feeder or unloader apparatus, shown in elevation left of center in figure 1, for removing developed film from the film holder and transporting it to a discharge point for the operator.



   Figure 23 is a section taken along line 23-23 of Figure 22.



   Fig. 24 is a fragmentary view corresponding to part of Fig. 22, but showing the star piece and the film holder in the slightly lower position occupied during its registration and after contact with the film discharge apparatus,
Figure 25 is a section taken on line 25-25 of Figure 1 and showing the arrangement of the development and rinsing basins or openings.



   Figure 26 is a; circuit diagram of the apparatus, and Figure 27 is a fragmentary view showing the cam-controlled switch device of the camera.



   In the drawings and particularly in the figures
1 and 2, the apparatus according to the invention is shown as being mounted in a cabinet or a booth 30, provided with a horizontal shelf or support 31 and forming an upper photograph chamber 32 and a lower development chamber 33. In the chamber 32 is mounted a photographic camera 34 intended to take a series of views or port-

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 lines, preferably four, in successive order, on a strip of film, after having introduced- a piece of coin in a slot 36 which is shown as being formed in the wall 37 separating the chambers 32 and 33 of the part of the booth where the customer sits and poses.

   The camera 34 may be of the type shown and described in US Patent No. 2,534,214 and also described and shown in another embodiment in another patent application filed today based on the US application. No. 468.178.



   This patent and this patent application are referred to for the construction details of the camera and therefore it will not be described or shown here in detail.



   Chamber 33 '(and chamber 32 as well) is of a construction which does not allow light to pass through and can be designed to contain a table 38 provided with legs 39 rigidly fixed to the floor of cabin 30. As is is better represented in figure 25, a circular series of fourteen juxtaposed development basins or cuvettes 41 respectively containing the liquids of the treatment, that is to say the various solutions employed to develop and rinse the film strip are mounted on the annular upper part of the, table 38.

   In the embodiment shown, the basins designated by W contain water, those designated by D contain the developer, that designated by B1 contains the bleach and that designated by T contains the fixing bath. It will be appreciated that the internal walls of the various basins 41 define an annular central chamber 42 which is very important in that it allows favorable operation of the present apparatus without the use of special automatic devices for supplying chemicals and water. water to the different basins and to avoid water flow between the basins.

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   If we refer again to figures 1 and 2 we see that the devices which carry the film strips here called film holder 43 are mounted in the chamber
33 above the development basins 41 and are capable of receiving both a reciprocating movement and a rotational movement to effect the successive immersions of the strips of film exposed in the different basins.

   To ensure this back and forth movement as well as the rotational movement of the film carriers, a control mechanism or cam mechanism 44 is mounted under conditions which make it dependent on the table 38 and is actuated. by an electric motor indicated at 46. The operation of this mechanism will be described in detail hereinafter with particular reference to Figures 3 to 7. The mechanism 44 is also shown and described in more detail in the application. patent also filed today on the basis of US application No. 468,179.



   The actuating or cam mechanisms are mounted in a suitable die-cast housing 47 provided with upper and lower support sleeves or bushings 48 and 49 which are suitably fixed thereto in the axial extension of one another and in the axis of the chamber 42. as shown in figure 5, the lower support sleeve
49 extends over a considerable distance below the box 47 and also over a notable distance inside it. The upper support sleeve 48 terminates near the upper portions of the development basins 41, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

   A rack sleeve is mounted inside the lower support sleeve 49 by means of a device which will be described below and. inside the upper support sleeve 48 by means of a nozzle 52 allowing free vertical sliding movement. The 51 'rack sleeve extends up and down to the film holder

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   43, as best shown in Figure 17 and bears against the base thereof,) so as to allow relative rotational movement.



   In the rack sleeve 51 there is shown axially a rotating rod 53 having at its upper end a portion of reduced diameter 54 (figure 17) and fixed, so as not to be able to turn, by means of a nut 56 and of a pin 57 to the film holder 43. The rotating rod 53 extends the entire length of the rack sleeve and rotates in nozzles 58 therein.



   The lower support sleeve 49 is provided with a pair of nozzles 59 for receiving so as to allow it to rotate a locking sleeve 61 best shown in FIG. 5. A toothed wheel 62 is mounted horizontally around it. of the uncovered part at the upper end of the locking sleeve 61, generally in the middle of the housing 47 and has a sleeve 63 which bears, so as to be able to turn, on the upper end of a nozzle 59 and is locked to the locking sleeve by means of an adjusting screw 64. Inside the locking sleeve 61 is mounted longitudinally by means of screws 66 a keying piece 67, of rectangular section, which extends to approximately the full length of the locking sleeve as shown.

   At the upper end of the locking sleeve, at a point diametrically opposite to the keying piece 67 is a ball 68. This ball is disposed within a precision nozzle 69 passing through a hole. opening of the locking sleeve and disposed relative to the ball in such a way that the latter can move radially to the locking sleeve but is prevented from moving in a circumferential or longitudinal direction thereof. A leaf spring 71 is mounted on the outside of the sleeve 61 to press the ball radially inward.



     'The lower end of the rotating rod 53 is

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 reduced in diameter and inserted into a tampon 72, as shown in Figure 5, a pin 73 being provided to hold the tampon in place and prevent it from rotating relative to the rod 53. The tampon 72 presents on one side a keyway 74 of rectangular section capable of adapting freely to the key piece of rectangular section
67 previously indicated. At a point diametrically opposite the groove 74 is a second keyway 76 which has a V-section instead of a rectangular section.



   The buffer 72 rests against the lower end of the rack sleeve 51 and in such a way that it can rotate with respect to the latter.



   The toothed wheel 62 is provided, as is indicated in FIG. 6, with fourteen teeth 77 corresponding to the number of development basins 41 shown in FIG. 25. It follows that each time the pinion 62 rotates by 1 / 14th of a turn following the arrival of a tooth 77 in the position previously occupied by the adjacent tooth and as will be described later, a rotational movement will be imparted to the film holder 43 and marked, so that each Elements of the film carrier will be moved from a position above a basin 41 to a position above the adjacent basin.

   The connection between the toothed wheel 62 and the film holder device 43 is ensured first by the adjusting screw 64 which rotates the key sleeve 61 at the same time as the pinion, and then by the key piece 67 which serves rotating the buffer 72 at the same time as the keying sleeve. As the tampon 72 is secured by the pin 73 to the rotating rod 55, the rotation of the tampon rotates the rod 55 and hence the film holder, the latter being non-rotatably attached to the upper end of the pad. the rotating rod as described above.



   The rotational movements described take place without causing it to rotate the rack sleeve 51, this element

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 being prevented from turning as a result of the mesh of its teeth with the associated pinion. However, the vertical movement of the rack sleeve 51 has the effect of raising the film holder device 43 or lowering it since the ends of this sleeve bear respectively against the film holder device and against the film holder. buffer 72,
A feature of the invention is that the up and down movement of the cremated sleeve 51 and of the plug 72 takes place for the most part relatively frictionless since the keyway fits in free friction on the key piece 67.

   This loose keying means that the film carriers are not perfectly centered in their various marked positions as they move vertically for most of a stroke. However, as soon as the buffer 72 arrives at an upper point adjacent to the ball 68, when the rack sleeve 51 is near the upper end of its stroke, the ball
68 slides into the V-groove 76 to effect an exact centering of the pad 72 and therefore of the rotating rod 53 and the film holder.

   Any play between the film holder device and the transmission is therefore eliminated when the film holder device is in its raised position where it comes into contact with the various film transport mechanisms which will be described above, but this absence of play does not give rise to excessive friction during most of the vertical displacement of the elements described. Another important device for reducing friction while ensuring perfect centering is constituted by a sphere 53a arranged at the upper end of the lise 53 to be inserted into a precision socket.
53b (FIG. 17) fixed to the shelf 51, when the film holder 43 is in its two upper positions.

   This construction allows the supports of the rack sleeve 51 to be relatively free and frictionless without adversely affecting the centering of the film holder.

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   We will now describe the devices which cooperate with the rack sleeve 51 to produce its vertical movement and with the toothed wheel 62 to produce its intermittent rotational movement. The motor shaft 46 (figures
1 and 2) is provided with a pulley 78 connected by means of a belt 79 to a pulley 81 mounted on a shaft 82 which is journalled in the walls of the housing 47 by means of ball bearings 83 which are better represented on, figure 3.

   A worm 84 ′ mounted on shaft 82 without being able to turn on it and is intended to actuate a relatively large diameter toothed wheel 86 keyed to a shaft 87 which is journaled into the walls of the housing 47 by means of the screws. ball bearings 88 shown in figure 4.



  Rotational movement is thus transmitted by the motor to the shaft 87 which has the function of actuating an intermittently controlled disc 89 keyed to the shaft 87 at the end opposite the toothed wheel 86, as it is. is represented. Disc 89 has a precision-machined beveled edge 91 which fits intimately between two adjacent teeth 77 of sprocket 62 and effectively prevents rotation thereof for most of a turn of the drive disc.



   A rectangular notch or window 92 is formed at a point on the periphery of disc 89 as best shown in Fig. 5 and a controller 93 is secured to the disc near window 92 by means of screws. 94.



  The controller 93 is housed in the disc 89 and is viewed from an inclined cam wall .96 which is shaped such that it pushes a tooth 77 of the wheel 62 into the window 92 as the disc rotates. As soon as this tooth 77 has been pushed into the window the part of the periphery not provided with the notch or the bevelled edge 91 of the disc 89 again acts to prevent the toothed wheel 62 from rotating.



   In this way, therefore, the toothed wheel 62 and

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 thus the film holder 43 @ @ thunder-except when the window 92 and the control member 93 turn, the pinion 62, which at this moment moves 1 / 14th of a thor as of the film holder at the same time. Inter mitente control and the locking device, described cooperate with the previously described ball 68 and the groove 76 in the form of a 'V for.

   prevent any play between the control and the film holder device 43, so that the latter are placed exactly in each marked position and that there is no possibility of meeting between the film holder device and film conveyor or other mechanism that is part of the apparatus. A more complete description of controller 95 as well as how it is mounted and positioned relative to disc 89 is given in the related patent application already cited.



   As shown in Figures 4 and 7, one face of the toothed wheel 86 is provided with a cup-shaped recess or recess for receiving a cam 101 which is attached to the toothed wheel. for example by means of screws 102.

   The cam 101 engages a roller 103 which constitutes the driven element of the cam and is mounted on a toothed sector 104 whose top is mounted so as to be able to rotate freely on a fixed shaft 106 disposed parallel to 1 '. shaft 87 at a relative point. very close to the uncovered part of the rack sleeve 51. The arcuate edge of the sector 104, on the side opposite the shaft
106, meshes a relatively small pinion 107 keyed to a sleeve 108 capable of freely rotating with respect to the shaft 87 which supports it.

     On 1.9 also keyed sleeve a relatively large toothed wheel 109 meshing un'pignon 111 which is mounted on the fixed shaft 106 so as to be able to rotate freely above. The teeth of the pinion 111 in: mesh with the rack teeth 112 of the lower part of the rack sleeve 51 so that the rotation of the pinion causes a vertical reciprocation of the rack sleeve. and hence the film holder device.



   From the above it emerges that the rotation of the

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 endless 84 by the motor 46 causes the rotation of the toothed wheel 86 and consequently of the cam 101 which is attached thereto.



   The driven roller 103 is thus pushed back following the shape of the cam so as to cause the sector 104 to pivot around the shaft 106. The small pinion 107 in engagement with the toothed sector is thus actuated so as to rotate the sleeve 108 around the shaft 87 on which it is mounted, so that the large toothed wheel 109 is thus rotated so as to actuate the pinion 111 and thus cause the vertical displacement of the rack sleeve 51 and the film holder device 43 which is associated with it. The constraint of the rotation of the motor is such that the shaft 87 and therefore the cam 101 and the intermittent control disc 89, rotate in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Figures 3 'and 5.

   Further, the elements are arranged relative to each other in such a way that when the roller 103 driven by the cam meets a low point of the cam 101 ', the rack sleeve has 51 and therefore the device carries films 43 are in a lower level position such as that shown in Figures 2 and 5. However, when the roller meets a high point 'of the cam 101, the rack sleeve and the film holder occupy a position high such as that shown in Figure 1.



   As shown in Figure 3, the cam 101 has a series of protuberances and recesses 113 relatively close to the shaft 87, which cause the up and down movements of the film holders when they are immersed in the basins 41, so that stirring of the different developer liquids occurs. The highest section of the is indicated at 114 and it is the one which makes its film holder device 43 take its highest position, in contact with the different film conveying devices that will be hosed later A high section:

  the cam 101, friends slightly lower

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 as section 114, is indicated at 116 and is separated from section 114 by a recessed portion 117. Section 116 is that which brings the film holder to a level slightly lower than its highest position, the The recess in section 117 being sufficient to allow the film holder device to fully disengage from the various transport mechanisms during registration.

   The position of the cam 101 with respect to the control member 93 and to the window 92 is such that the rotation or the registration of the pinion 62 and therefore of the film holder only takes place when the roller 103 is engaged. located on the cam section or arch 116 and that the film holder is clear of the various conveying mechanisms as well as the basins 41.



   When the roller 103 leaves section 114 of the cam and falls at 17 on section 116, the rack sleeve 51 must immediately drop in order to bring about the necessary lowering of the film holder 43. If.- this drop is not positive and immediate, the pinion 62 and the film holder device 43 perform the registration and the film holder device meets and hits the various film transport mechanisms and produces the deterioration or breakage. of the device.

   Accordingly) and as shown in Figures 3 and 7, a spindle 118 is mounted at the periphery of the toothed wheel 86 facing the cam section 116 adjacent to the drop point and 117 / is radially distant. of section 116 by an amount approximately equal to the diameter of roller 103.

   As a result, a local positive action of the cam is exerted between the pin 118 and the roller 103 so that the latter immediately comes into contact with the cam section 116 when it leaves the part 117, so that the descent of the rack sleeve 51 and the film holder device is positive and immediate as it is desirable and necessary

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A detailed description will be given below of the device carrying the film strip, that is to say of the film carrier device 43,

   with particular reference to Figures 8 and 17 to 24 which show that this arrangement comprises a star piece 121 arranged horizontally and having seven equidistant radial arms 122. The outer end of each arm 122 has an enlarged part in, form of ear, extending longitudinally 123, to receive the pivot 124 on which a pivotable cam member 126 is mounted, - The underside of each of these members or cam 126 'is rigidly associated; to a plate 127 for supporting two drop rods 128 to which a hanging film holder 129 is attached as shown in. Figures 20 and 21. The cane:

  . 126, plate 127, stems
128 and film holder 129 rotate together about pivot 124 in cam contact 126 with one of a pair of pegs 131 and 132 of the vertically movable film holder selector, forming part of the release mechanism. Film holder and timer selector 130 which will be described later with reference to Figs. 11-16. Film holder 129 takes the form of a container or vertical conduit of U-section for receiving in a position.

   In vertical relative terms, a strip of film 133 which is fed therein from the camera 34 and preferably carries four views. The film holder 129 is of a special vane or fin type, one embodiment of which is described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 2,541,016. The vanes or vanes cause agitation of the developer liquid during the vertical reciprocating movement of the film carrier under the action of the control device described above, so that an external development is obtained. fast and effective.



   In the specific construction form of the star square arm 122 cam 126, and as said, of the film holder selector or pegs

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131 and 132 actuating the cam, a curved vertical cam surface 134 is formed on the cam 126 and shaped such that the movement of the star piece in a clockwise direction, with respect to Figures 8,18 and 19 gives rise to an action similar to that of a cam between the pin 131 and the surface 134 which has the effect of rotating. turn the cam counterclockwise around pivot 124 and * from the outside position to the inside position.

   Further, a rectilinear vertical surface 136 is provided on each cam 126 and is shaped as a hitch so that movement of the star piece in the clockwise direction causes cam action between the pin 132 and the surface. cam 136 and has the effect of fai. re rotate the cam clockwise around its pivot 124 from its internal position to its external position. An eccentric tension spring 137 is connected between each cam 126 and lug 123 at points such that cam 126 and the film holder attached thereto are always brought to the end of their outward stroke or inward and never stop at an intermediate point.

   This inward end-of-travel position is determined by an adjustable stop screw 138 on each arm 122 of the star piece, while the outward end-of-travel position is determined by an adjustable stop screw 139 screwed on. on one ear at the outer end of the star coin arm.



   It will be noted that when the cam 126 of a film holder device is in contact with a stop screw
138, the film holder 129 occupies its internal position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8, and therefore lies directly above or in the central chamber 42 forced between the different development basins 41. It As a result, the back and forth movement of the film holder device 43 when a film holder is in this internal position, introduces the latter into the chamber.

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 bre centrale-42 and withdraws it and does not give rise to its immersion in the developing and rinsing solutions.



   However when the surface. curved cam 134 of a holder, the film is in contact with the. external stop screw
139, so that the film holder 129 occupies the outer position shown to the left in Figures 2 and 8,; this film holder is located directly above or in the axis of the basin 41 and the vertical back and forth movement at this time has the effect of immersing it in the solutions or removing it from it,
When the pin 132 of the film holder selector is in its lower position and the film holder 129 passing close to this pin is for example in its inner position, a cam action (figure 18 ) is exerted between the pin 132 and the surface 136 of the cam,

     which has the effect of rotating the film holder 129 to bring it into its external position. The ankle 131 then occupies an upper position or. raised so as not to interfere with the cam 126. Conversely, when the pin 131 occupies its lower position and the pin 132 its raised position, and it happens that the film holder 129 which passes in front of the:

   ankle 131 is in its external position, the cane exerts an action (figure 19) which rotates the film holder inwards to bring it into its internal position. This inward and outward pivoting movement of the film holders 129 occurs when the film holders are in an elevated position as shown in Figure 24, given, as is apparent from It will be recalled that the rotation of the star piece 121 only occurs when the driven roller 103 of the cam (Figure 3) is on section 116 of the cam 101, as has been described in detail above. -   is lying.



   The important sorting mechanism of film carrier selection and synchronization 130 will now be described.

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   intended to vertically move the pins 131 and 132 operating the cams and to synchronize the operation of the apparatus. Mechanism 130 is constructed in such a way that when a strip of film 133 has been exposed in camera 34 and is to be developed, it does.
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 swing a film holder from its inside position to its outside position.

   On the other hand, when the film or strip of photographs has been fully developed and
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 unloaded from the camera, the film holder is returned by pivoting The Zt from its outer position to its / inner position. Therefore the mechanism is constructed so that a film holder 129 is never in its position. , therefore external tion, and is / not immersed in the basins 41, as is shown on the left in Figure 2, unless this film holder must be placed in such a position to perform the development of an exposed film strip.



   The action of the film holder selector, indicated which ensures that a film holder is never immersed in the developing and rinsing baths unless it is necessary to develop a strip of film, is extreme. important in that it prevents dilution, contamination and losses of the various
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 development; - content in the basins 41.

   In other words, this pivot has film holders 129 inward and next to the outside whether it is needed or not, is what makes the use of the film convenient. 'device during a no-
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 interval table of te :: y} s without any assistance and without having to provide for the costly reservoirs for filling or automatically receiving products chemical.



  It will be understood that if all the film holders 129 were. continuously in the external position, the seven porbe films would be xed to the successive basins 41 then gaô in many cases only one or two vorte-j? ellicLl-

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 only 129 should actually be used .. 'As whenever a 129 film holder is lifted from a stocking
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 sin and lowered, in the liquid liD basin yui udhere on its surface tends to contaminate the liquid of this .e: vi4x, it will be understood that the degree of con 0: .. u! ill!; djio21 produced by -1.; 0 ü.8 the & film holder 129 working altogether 1; -t 'read C ,.) drinks necessary or not, must actually be considerable,
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 Mechanism 130 is :: 7.vLî: e ;:

   shown in Figures 11 to 17 and may, as seen, include a bracket or support plate 141 which is suitably secured in a vertical position on the underside of the board or shelf 31 of the apparatus. On one face of the console 141 and at the end of the latter opposite to that where the selector pins 131 and 132 are located, a solenoid 142 is mounted, the plunger 143 of which is connected to a sliding plate 144 as well as This will be better seen in Figures 13 and 14.

   A second sliding plate 146 is disposed in general axial alignment with the sliding plate 144
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 and is normally held end to end with ü.4.l.e-c: i by means of a tension spring 147 connected between appropriate pins on the corresponding plates. The sliding plates are both provided with. horizontal slots 148 which receive screws 149 passing through the console 141 and allow limited horizontal movement of the two plates
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 or sliders 144 3 146 depending on whether the solen.,.? e 142 is energized or not.

   A r4:., Traction ort 151 is connected between a spindle of the console 141 and a spindle of the slider 144 as seen better in Figures 11 and 12 and is intended .. born to urge the sliders to the left of these figure so that the plunger 143 of the solenoid is
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 in its external position ù. unless it is a, .wné in its lower position p z. sj-ite of the solenoid excitation of A pin 152, extends -, -, 1; 1 = .t -Jr> 1 ev: in .t, is mounted 1. ' xtér¯L'é of 1 .. second 1> ié.zae c <: 1.? ', i.;,: ;; ni, o 146 opposite that oîs: .. ::::

   finds solenoid 142 and p: .., e, Lr; vi. '. j a

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 slot 153 of the console 141 The free end of the spindle
152 is disposed in a] U-shaped groove formed in the core or rod 4 'a part 154 in the shape of an inverted T, this der niëe being articulated to the console 141 by means of a pin 156. The ends of the arms or wings of the T-piece 154 are articulated .sur-, the pins 131 and 132 as the ends of a guide lever 157 which is articulated to the console 141 by means of a pin 158.

   It will be seen that with the aid of the construction described, a longitudinal sliding of the slide 146 as a result of the excitation or de-energization of the solenoid 142 has the effect of causing the part to pivot in
T 154 around its pivot 156, so as to raise or lower the ankles 131 and 132 with respect to each other.



   Because the spring 151 normally maintains the slides 144 and 146 in their straight positions, as shown in Figure 13, the peg 131 is normally lowered and the peg 132 raised. Since the pin 131 is the one which, when lowered, causes the film holders 129 to pivot inward as has been described with reference to Figure 19, it will be seen that the pins of the selector switch Film holders are normally in the desired positions to move the film holders from their outer positions to their inner positions. ''
Instead of using two ... separate pegs 131 and 132 one can use a single peg or other devices.



   For example, a single pin could be rotated around a horizontal axis to bring it closer to or away from the solenoid 142, depending on whether the latter is energized or not and whether it is desired to rotate the film holders towards the inside or outside.



   In addition to the solenoid and the slider device described above, for actuating the pins 131 and 132, the mechanism 130 comprises a ratchet and ratchet device.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 23>

 which is best shown in Figures 11, 12, 16 and 17 and which comprises a ratchet wheel 161 capable of rotating 'freely around a shaft end 162 starting from the console
141. A torsion spring 163 is wound around the shaft end 162 and is connected to a pin 164 attached to the pawl wheel, the direction of the spring winding being such that the latter is constantly stressed. counterclockwise from Figures 12 and 16.

   A pin 166 attached to the ratchet wheel 161 is intended to come into contact with a stop pin 167 attached to the console.
141 in order to limit this rotation of the ratchet wheel counterclockwise and stop the wheel in the position shown in Figure 16.



   A retaining pawl 169 and a pawl. ordered
170 cooperate with the ratchet wheel 161. The retaining pawl 169 is articulated at its base on a journal 171 fixed to the bracket 141 and is provided near the journal with a pin 172 which extends below the pin. console 141 and is connected by a tension spring 173 to a pin attached to the console.

   The tension spring 173 'and the pin 172 perform the function of biasing the retaining pawl 169 clockwise with respect to Figures 12 and 16, and the pin 172 also has the function. to cooperate with a hook 174 to cause the release of the retanue pawl. The hook 174 is in sliding contact with the lower edge of the console 141 and is suitably connected to the slider 144,

   the latter being actuated directly by the plunger 143 of the solenoid as described above. It can thus be seen that the retaining pawl is normally held in the retaining position by the spring 173 but is released during the release. energizing solenoid 141 to bring hook 174 into contact with pin 172 and thereby rotate the retaining clapboard counterclockwise to release the ratchet wheel.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 24>

 
 EMI24.1
 



  The control pawl 170 includes a base 176 articulated at one end on the end of the end or pin 171 and provided at the other end with a slow articulated pawl 177 capable of to mesh the teeth of the
 EMI24.2
 ratchet wheel 161. Tooth 177 and the ratchet of ozo; .. === nè whole, are pushed back into a corresponding position 1 ::. counterclockwise rotation by means of a tension spring 178 / connected to one of the horizontal branches of a U-shaped support 179, the latter being mounted on a spindle 181 which descends from the board 51. A stopper pin 182 is provided on the pawl base 176 to prevent excessive movement of the tooth 177 in a clockwise direction.



   The device for actuating the control pawl 170 comprises a vertical control spindle 183 mounted so as to be able to execute a reciprocating movement in the branches of the U-shaped support 179 and provided with a collar. rectangular central link 184 which is attached to it by means of a set screw.

   One horizontal pin 186
 EMI24.3
 (Figures 11 and 17), E-ouoà.Je to the collar 184 and extending inwardly therefrom, is likely to come into contact with the underside of the base of cli-
 EMI24.4
 quiet 176 due to the fact that it: can slide in a guide 187 fixed to the console 141, the control pin 183 is liable to be attacked and actuated by the star part 121 when this: ', 18 is brought in its upper position and once per even or alternating order marking.

   For
 EMI24.5
 erlileclier drove it from the spindle of COL2ande 183 during the united re-eras of alternating order of the star piece 121, .. a series of holes 133 30ut his in the glued piece 121 Q7 on ane 3ircon - 76rence COTloeo1e show j, =; i., jx la [± = == j = + C.



  Î c- /'J..-mer-né 1 ': f ?? to ± ti.J: == iJ dv-:' C :: 1L1Íf3 '' - Le> fll'flT 'ô! Lj. ± " Î21Ù 'ùÎ ± Ôl eCà9-lZ' ae, .a = .te-pe] ¯liouirj, 130, tel.,.).: ..; "" - <.:; T. ..D- ... --pue, - 130, = g> -i'il I ±; nt :: "trf; d ': crit, on x # ij =, - ,, * r> ¯: e 1 orjcncs

 <Desc / Clms Page number 25>

   we!:

       been pushed back into the positions shown in figure 16 This figure shows the cut positions when the star piece 121 is below and away from the born canism 130 and after the solenoid 142 has been energized (when the star piece 121 was in the highest position) to push the sliders 144 and 146 to the right with respect to figure 16.

   The hook;. And 174 therefore engaged with the pin 172 to disengage the retaining pawl 169, and the ratchet wheel 161 moved counterclockwise until the pin 166 has met the stop pin 167 as shown. Further, the sliding of the slider 146 tilted the T-piece 154 and lowered the peg 132 and raised the peg 131.



   As will be described in detail later, the solenoid 142 is subsequently defused, so that the pins 131 and 132 occupy their original positions. nales or normal, the ankle 131 being lowered and the ankle 132 raised. Depriming of solenoid 142 a. also for the effect of moving the hook 174 away from the pin 172 of the pawl and allowing the retaining pawl 169 to engage in the wheel) 1 ratchet 161. During the next movement of the star part 121 towards its end-of-travel position upper, when a hole 188 in this part does not coincide with the control pin 183, the latter comes into contact with the star part and is raised in the position shown in Fig. 12.

   The control pawl is then also pushed up and down as a result of the horizontal pin 186 contacting the underside of the pawl base 176 and the pawl tooth 177 engages a tooth of the wheel, ratchet 161 for turn it one notch in a clockwise direction. The ratchet wheel thus turns one eran in the direction of the switch, one watch after each

 <Desc / Clms Page number 26>

   alternate order mark of the star piece 121, or whenever a hole 188 does not coincide with the control pin of.

   The number of teeth of the ratchet wheel 161 is chosen such that sixteen star-shaped marks 121 are needed before the ratchet wheel 161 is rotated from the position of Figure 16 to that of the FIG. 12, the latter being that occupied by the mechanism between uses of the device and when no coin has been introduced into it.



   As the ratchet wheel 171 rotates for the last notch following the sixteen marks of the star piece 121, the pin 164 (Figure 12) meets the underside of the left end of a lever 189 which is articulated at 191 on the console 141 and is pushed back counterclockwise by a tension spring 192. The end of the lever 189 opposite to that where the ratchet wheel is located is likely to come into contact with the arm of a switch 193 which controls the operation of the main motor 46 of the apparatus.

   During the entire period of operation of the apparatus, when the pin 164 is disengaged from the lever 189, the lever maintains the switch 193 in the closed position to ensure operation of the motor. However, the final rotation of the ratchet wheel 161 clockwise to bring the spindle 164 into contact with the lever causes the lever 189 to pivot counterclockwise and therefore causes the lever 189 to pivot counterclockwise. opening of switch 193 for. stop the engine.



   If at any time during the described timing operation, solenoid 142 is re-primed, hook 174 engages pawl pin 172 and disengages retaining pawl 169 from the wheel. ratchet so that the latter returns to its original position shown in FIG. 16 and the synchronization cycle is triggered As will be described below, the solenoid 142 is re-energized as a result of the inhibition one piece

 <Desc / Clms Page number 27>

 of change in the slot 36 and therefore the taking of additional views by the camera 34.



   The restarting of the cycle will thus cause the full development of the last photograph taken by the apparatus and whatever the number of coins introduced into the slot 36 or the number of views taken.



   If a coin is inserted into the slot during the described synchronization cycle, at a time suitable for re-energizing the solenoid 142 when the star coin 121 is in its highest position, shown in Figures 12 and 13, the resulting displacement of the plunger of the solenoid has the effect of .moving, through 'the slider 144 and the spring 147, the slider 14,6 ,,' - from the position shown in Figure 13 to that shown in Figure 14.

   This therefore lowers the pin 132 and raises the pin 131, so that the next retracted film holder 129 which passes in front of the lowered pin 132 pivots outwardly. to be placed above a development basin 41, as a result of the operation of the cam shown in FIG. 18 as described above.



  However, if the star piece 121 is not in its uppermost position when the adenoid is re-excited a horizontal locking pin 196 passing through an opening 197 of console 141 meets a stop pin 198. arranged on the slider 146 e prevents the latter from sliding at the same time as the slider 144 when the solenoid is energized. However, the spring 147 is under such a tension that when the locking pin 196 is lifted away from the stopper 198, the slider 146 is consequently moved to the energy in the spring.



  147, and chsvilles 131 and 132 change postiins at this time.



   The pin of the lock 196 is mounted at the end

 <Desc / Clms Page number 28>

 a lever 199 which can pivot on the journal 162 and is held by a tension spring 201 shown in Figures 12 and 14 in the position "where it has been by rotation in the counterclockwise direction". A disc mounted at the end of the lever 199 near the stopper pin 196 is arranged to be struck and actuated from bottom to top by the upper edge of the pawl base 176 as the latter is lifted. as a result of the contact of the control pin 183 with the star piece 121 moving from bottom to top.

   As a result, the pin 196 is in its locking position, in contact with the stop 198 and prevents the movement of the slide, 14-6 at all times, except when the star piece 121, the pin 183 and therefore the pawl base 176 are moved upward so as to rotate lever 199 clockwise, relative to Figures 12 and 16 and thereby lift pin 196 out of the path of the ratchet. 'stop 198
The described operation of the locking pin 196 is very important in that it prevents the pins 131 and 132 of the film holder selector from colliding or colliding with the film holder device 43.

   It will be remembered that the registration of the star part 121 and the film carriers mounted therein does not take place when the star part is in its highest position where the pin 183 is engaged. and actuated, but is done on the contrary, when the star piece is in a position at a slightly lower level and is no longer in contact with the pin 183.

   When this registration occurs, that of the pins 131 and 132 located the lowest meets the associated vertical cam surface of the cam 126 and thus causes a film holder 129d to pivot inwards or outwards. It will be understood that if the ankles 131 and; 132 were displaced exactly is at the time when a

 <Desc / Clms Page number 29>

 
 EMI29.1
 ca.;:. e 126 passes e; 1 below, one of the dowels eixiim- = r.ui.t had contact with the upper surface of the cam which would give rise to / to damage and possibly to breakage of the device.



   The locking pin 196 prevents this unwanted effect by ensuring that the pins 131 and 132 of the film holder selector cannot be moved for placement; in place only when no spotting of the star part is in progress and no cam is located below. As a result, the pins 131 and 132 always engage the cam surfaces 134 and 136 on the sides of the cams 126 instead of striking the upper surfaces of these members.



   The arrangement described, where the ratchet wheel 161 and the locking pin 196 are actuated directly by the film holder device 43, and more specifically by the star piece 121, is extremely important from the point of view of the economy of the film. construction and results of operation of the apparatus. The reason is that this direct drive always ensures a perfect correlation between the synchronization ratchet and the position of. the star piece, which is essential for the correct functioning of the pins 131 and 132 and the exact synchronization of a cycle.

   In addition, the direct control of these elements is much more economical and easier to adjust than a device where the control is made by means of separate mechanisms with toothed wheels and intermediate shafts by the electric motor. principal. 46, for example.



   We will now describe the transporter mechanism 202,
 EMI29.2
 - - - .. -. (also referred to below as the feed device, which feeds the exposed film strip 133 from camera 34 to a film holder 129 This mechanism is shown in Figures 2, 9 and 10 and includes a holder at the bottom. housing 203 mounted on the underside of the shelf or shelf 31 and provided with advancement or drive rollers 204 actuated by a driving force and turret
 EMI29.3
 10nés at the lower end of this support.

   The ba, .c1-;

 <Desc / Clms Page number 30>

 of film is fed through an opening 206 of the shelf 31 into a receiving chamber formed by inclined walls 207 and 208, the slope of which is determined so that the lower end of the strip of film is introduced between the rollers of film. drive 204. These are operated to advance the film strip through a film holder by means of a gear train 209 (Figure 9) and an electric motor 211 whose operation is controlled by a switch 212 (Fig. 11) which is closed by the upper horizontal wall of a film carrier cam 126 when this is in its highest position.



   As best shown in Figure 8, the drive rollers 204 of the feed or downward advancement mechanism 202 are disposed behind the pins 131 and 132 of the film holder selector, that is. That is, on the side of the film holder selector pins where the operation of the film holders has a relatively immediate effect in determining whether or not there is a film holder 129 below the rollers 204.

   The star piece 121, by turning clockwise with respect to Figure 8, therefore has the effect of bringing the pin 132 (when lowered) into contact with the surface 136 of the cam. of the film holder device immediately following, and thus pivoting a film holder 129 to bring it into the outer position below the rollers 204.

   When a film holder 129 has thus arrived to pivot below the rollers 204, it is raised to the upper position shown in Figures 9 and 10, such that the upper end or mouth of the film holder is placed on a descending part 213 of the feed mechanism.

   In this way,,,
 EMI30.1
 the fOnCtLO.:nei.=3nt of the 2G ° rollers ensures a correct av, nce .., L - il.t I read the film strip 133: i. n l3 bzz film holder

 <Desc / Clms Page number 31>

 without possibility of entanglement or formation of loops.,
It will be noted that the devices serving to eliminate the clearance 68 and 69, described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, have the effect of always ensuring the centering of the mouth of the film holder in the necessary position. for 1 arrival on the descending part 213.



   The disclosed closing of switch 212 by film holder cam 126 when film holder device is moved to its upper position not only energizes motor 211 to operate drive rollers. 204, but also to cut the web of film 133 by means of a solenoid actuated knife, not shown, which forms part of the camera 34 and is described in US Pat. No. 2,534,214 cited above.

   The switch 212 still fulfills certain other functions in the operation of the installation and as will be described subsequently with reference to the connection diagram shown in figure 26. The solenoid which actuates the disconnecting knife is shown at 214 on the figure. Figure 26 and is designated by the reference numeral 114 in the mentioned patent,
The conveyor mechanism for removing the developed film strip 133 from a film holder 129, and transporting it to a discharge chute, is called an unloading group: and designated by the reference numeral 216.

   This mechanism is shown in Figure 1 and Figures 22 to 24 and comprises a support bracket or casing 217 mounted on the underside of the shelf or shelf 31. The bracket 217 serves to support two pairs of relatively transporting rollers. narrow 218 and a pair of relatively wide dryer rollers 219, the axes of the rollers being disposed in relative positions spaced apart along an arc.

   Arched guide pieces 221 are suitably supported by bracket 217 to guide the web of film.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 32>

 
 EMI32.1
 0, - 133 of the gold film 129 - to a discharge chute 222 opening a. the exterior of the av.:, j eil.Zes various pebbles tr'L1s01 t tlr a 213 and the ü! t = ù S sectors 21S are. operated by a. electric motor 224 by means of a chain
 EMI32.2
 223, so that the function = ¯wnt of the -actor has the effect of removing the palli band. z.e from the film holder 129 and unload it into the chute 222.
 EMI32.3
 The motor 224 is controlled j;:,: a switch 226 mounted on the underside of the shelf 31 and capable of being actuated by a cam 126, when the devices
 EMI32.4
 film holders can be found at -6] [- '; ::

  c, ..:. i -té of their upper stroke. The film holder 129 is suitably notched there, as indicated; then fits around the lowest conveyor rollers 218 such that they exert an effective and firm grip on the web of film 133 and there can be no danger of a faulty operation.



   Referring to Figure 8, it will be noted that the discharge device 216 (comprising carrier rollers 218) is located in front of the pins 131 and 132 of the film holder selector and also in front of the device. downward advancement 202 provided with rollers 204.



  As a result, when a film holder 129 is in its outward position and contains a fully developed film strip 133, the film strip will be removed by the rollers 218 before the camming portion of the film holder. meet the ankle 131 and be reperegated
 EMI32.5
 brought into the interior - by pivoting during the next / dandruff di) 08itive 43.



  The exact way in which the switch is controlled on 22C (and, in a way cor: c'es.:; On:,:,: n.te, switch 212, by the upper surface of the oa # àe 125 of the film holder is best represented in figures 22 and 2 ° j. AO, r:, 1o the L0¯1t; :: "" 'e' ¯ ± 1 <5L? L "e 22, the switch is formed when the cam 12

 <Desc / Clms Page number 33>

   se.:is in the highest position but it is open when this cam is in the position of slightly lower level,. occupied during the spotting of the star part.

   As has been said previously the highest position (figure 22) takes place when the roller 103, driven element of the cam (figure 3), rolls on the section 114 of the latter, and the slightly lower position of Figure 24, is that occupied when the cam driven roller is on section 116 thereof. It is only when the roller moves on the part 116 that the control device 93 (FIG. 6) acts on a tooth 77 of the pinion 62 in order to mark the device, the film holder.



   Referring now to the re-connection diagram. shown in figure 26, we will first describe the electrical elements which have not been previously indicated in the description of the structure of the apparatus. The switch indicated 227 is a switch of the conventional type operated by a coin which is closed momentarily when a customer inserts a coin into slot 36 to initiate operation of the apparatus.

   Coil 228 is a conventional coin return solenoid which, when defused, allows a plunger, not shown - to move into a position preventing a coin that has fallen into slot 36 from having a Any action whatsoever on the operation of the device, the coin being on the contrary returned to the customer by a chute or coin return corridor.

   The lamp indicated in 229 is a luminous signal, located near the introductin slot of the coins, capable, when energized, of illuminating a panel warning the customer-1 that the machine is ready. to receive a second coin and to start a new cycle of operations Switch 231 is the one which is operated by, camera 34 to initiate development, while switch 232 is operated.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 34>

 by the camera '34 and is used to cause the deactivation of the motor of the latter indicated 'in 233.

   As against in FIG. 27, switches 232 and 231 are actuated respectively by cams 234 and 235 mounted on a shaft 237. This corresponds to the shaft 92 described in detail (at the same time as the motor of the apparatus photo- - graphic, etc.) in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 2,534. 214, and which rotates a quarter-turn each time a frame is ¯iriseed and sent down. since there are four views on a film strip 133, the shaft 237 performs a verse turn during exposure and advancement of the film strip.



   The arm of the switch 231 is provided with a roller
238 which circulates in a groove of the box 235, having a notch 239, and thus temporarily causes the closing of the switch 231, when the second view of the strip of four views is moved downwards. Switch 232 is similarly provided with a roller 241 which rests in a notch 242 of the housing 234 between uses of the machine, such that the roller 241 is outside the notch 242 during a notable part of the complete functioning of the camera. The switch
232 is of a type which is opened when the roller 241 is in the notch 242 and is closed when the roller has left the notch.



   Referring again to Figure 26, it will be seen that a pair of conventional blocking relays 243 and 244 are shown schematically therein, the first relay 243 being; provided with two coils 246 and 247 and the second relay
244 of two coils 248 and 249. Coil 246 is provided with an armature indicated at 251, which upon energization of coil 246 moves a contact arm 252 from the upper position shown to a lower position. As soon as this lower position is reached, the reinforcement
253 it? coil 247 prevents the return of the contact arm

 <Desc / Clms Page number 35>

 
252 until coil 247 is energized.

   As a result, the excitation of coil 246, whether momentary or continuous, maintains contact arm 252 in its lower position and this position remains until coil 247 is energized.



     , Relay 244 acts in the same way as relay
243, and is for-seen with a 254 frame susceptible during. energizing coil 248 to move two contact arms 256 and 257 from their shown upper positions to lower positions. These arms remain in the lower positions until energization of coil 249 moves armature 258 from it.
The various elements described in the circuit of figure 26 are connected between lines 261 and 262 which are supplied with current from a suitable source, indicated at 263, which may be a conventional source at 110 volts)
60 periods,, ...



   A complete cycle of operations will now be described.



   Assume that the apparatus is in the occluded position between uses and when no development is being carried out, all film holders 129 are in their inward positions, such as' c is shown in Figure 1 while the timing and selection mechanism. Film holder 130 is in the position shown in Figure 12 and that the various switches of the apparatus occupy the positions shown in Figures 26 and 27. The film holder device 43. is then in the. highest position seen that the driven roller 103 (figure 3) bears on the part 114 of the cam adjacent to the drop 117.

   In addition, the apparatus is about to be ready for the labeling of the film holder, the control device of 93 (Figures 5 and 6) being near the gear 62. -; , ..

 <Desc / Clms Page number 36>

 



   As shown in Figure 26, when the switches occupy the positions shown a circuit is established from line 261 by conductor 266 to contact arm 252, then from conductor 267 to contact arm 256, then by conductor. 268 and by the coin feed solenoid, coupled in parallel and the light signal 229 on line 262. The coin feed solenoid 228 is thus energized, which means that its plunger is out of the path of a coin and no return of the coin to the customer is made, while the light 229 is on to indicate to the customer that the machine is ready to operate.



   As soon as a coin is inserted into slot 36 by a customer, a circuit is momentarily established between line 261 and line 262 by conductors 266, 267 and 268, coin switch 227 and coil. relay 246 and conductor 269 connected to line 262. - The resulting energization of coil 246 causes contact arm 252 to move away from conductor 267, which cuts the circuit of solenoid 228 of return of the coin 228, the light signal 229 and the switch 227.

   On the contrary a circuit is established between the line 261 and the line. 262 by conductor 266, contact lever 252 and conductors 271 and 272 which go to motor 233 of the camera.



  The lever or arm 252 remains engaged, by its contact, with the conductor 271 as a result of the blocking action described above and until the energization of the coil 247 as will be described subsequently. which precedes it follows that the light signal 229 is deprived of current and that the coin return solenoid 224 is also deactivated, which means that any coin subsequently introduced into the receipt slot of the coin. -

 <Desc / Clms Page number 37>

 It will be returned to the coin return corridor and will not affect the operation of the device.

     , In addition, the Camera Motor 233 is energized to initiate the camera's duty cycle.



   The operating cycle of the camera which is described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 2,534
214 and a patent application also filed today on the basis of US application 468,178 and consists of showing the first view on the strip of film 133 and then rotating the shaft 237 (Figure 27) to advance this first view exposed, from top to bottom in opening 206 towards, the developing mechanism.

   The shaft 237 turns a quarter of a turn, thus moving the notch 242 of the driven roller 241 away from the switch 232 so that the latter is brought into its closed position. This has the effect of creating, through the conductor 273 and the connected driver 272, a second source of energy maintaining the excitation of the motor 233 of the camera.



   The camera's operating cycle then continues and includes exposing a second frame to the film strip 133, after which the shaft 237 makes another quarter turn and the roller 238 turns. the switch - Their 231 passes into the notch 239 so as to produce a momentary closing of the switch 231 'The closing of the switch 231 establishes a circuit going from the line 261 to the line 262 passing through the conductor 274 and coil 247 and from there through conductors 276 and 269.

     The resulting excitation of the coil 247 has the effect of returning the contact lever 252 to its original position in contact with the switch 267, which causes the rupture of the first excitation circuit of the motor 233 of the camera. .

   However, the moter continues to operate, since it is under voltage through switch 232.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 38>

 switching on. a momentary closing of the switch 231 also establishes a circuit going from the line 261 to the line 262 by the conductor 274, the conductor 277, the coil 248 and the conductor 269 The coil 248 is thus energized to cause the movement of the levers of contact
256 and 257 and set them aside from the positions shown.

   It will be noted that although the signaled movement of the contact lever 252 to return it to its original position may appear to re-energize the coin return solenoid 228 and the light signal 229, this result is not obtained. because the mentioned displacement of the contact lever 256 prevents the closing of the circuit comprising the change solenoid and the light signal
The indicated displacement of contact arm 257 establishes a circuit from line 261 through conductor 266, conductor 278, contact lever 257, conductor 279 and solenoid 142 to line 262.

   The solenoid 142 is thus energized to move its plunger 143 from the position shown in Figure 13 to that shown in Figure 14, thereby causing a corresponding displacement of the slider 144 to the left with respect to these figures.



   Since, as stated previously, the film carrier device comprising the star piece 121 is initially in its uppermost position, the control pin 183 is also in its uppermost position, keeping the locking pin 196 disengaged from the stop 198 located on the second slide 146. Accordingly,
I dee; acementdu slider 144 acts, through the intermediary of the spring 147, so as to bring the second slider 14 in its course causing the descent of the ankle 132 and raises it without the pin 131.



   The described displace of the grout - water 144 also has the effect of bringing, via the hook 174,

 <Desc / Clms Page number 39>

 
 EMI39.1
 the retaining pawl 169 from the position shown in figure 12 to that shown in figure 16, so that the ratchet wheel 161 is caused to rotate them sei, .t'i3 'e., turn clockwise through the spring 163 and take the position shown in figure 16 the spindle
 EMI39.2
 164 is thus released from the lever 189, which allows the re's-; -sort 192 to rotate this lever in the direction of the needles of a watch and to cause the closing of the switch 193 of the main actor.



   The resulting excitation of the main motor 46 has the effect of actuating via / through the pulleys 78 and 81 and the belt 79, the shaft 82 (figures 3 and 4) and thus to rotate the cam HERE, shaft 87 and intermittent drive disc 89 counterclockwise from Figure 3. Roller 103, initially located on section 114 of the cam, near the point of fall 117, any rotational movement of the cam counterclockwise causes the roller to descend
103 on section 117 and causes the film holder device 43 to be slightly lowered from the highest position to the registration position.

   The controller 93 (Figures 5 and 6) then comes into contact with the toothed wheel 62 and moves it (and hence the film carrier) by one tooth or 1/4 'of'. turn .. During this locating movement, the lowered pin 132-meets it on * -
 EMI39.3
 face 136 of a fairy cam figure .18) t''fait.pivotai * the. associated film holder 129 outwards e, .1 <or .from its point, '",;.; .. < .; .. ", pivoting. 124 even in its poïbn. exterior * 'This film po'r'lo is then directly u' '.- d'ewul, ,,,; cû1 container .. - -,> .: i ,; ,, j ,,, a, j; > .µ, <. or basin 41a (figures 2, 8 fet'25i = 7¯Zé; noûve, .n; d, fpirote'- Ij ... '".'l = À" 1.:

   Description of the 129 'd film holder. se, rps, .t-ien ï3.1'ieurt. /..'''-> i. at its external position is obviously jiab "general> by 100 rollers 204 of the advancement mechanism 202 as a result of the slight downward slope of the carrier device.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 40>

 dandruff as described.



   With the cane 101 continuing to rotate (FIG. 3), the roller 109 leaves the section 116 to cause the descent into the basin 41a of the film holder 129 brought by slowly pivoting into its outward position, afterwards. whereby the sections 113 of the cane give a slight back and forth motion to the film holder to produce a washing action. The basin 41a being filled with water, the film holder is thus cleaned and brought to the desired state of cleanliness to receive the film strip 133.



   It should be noted that during the period of development the cycle of development operations began, as has been described, with the cycle of photographic operations ending with exposure and high advancement. down the. third and fourth views reproduced on film strip 133 When the fourth view has been brought down, the shaft 237 (Fig. 27 makes its final quarter turn so that the notch 242 in the This 234 is placed under the roller 241 and produces the opening of the switch 232 so as to take the current in the motor 233 of the camera and to stop the cycle of shots. , The four exposed views (strip 133) are then brought from top to bottom between the walls 207 and 208,

   as shown in figure 10.



   The development cycle continues with the rotation of the cam 101 (figure 3) until the roller 103 reaches the elevated part 114 of the cam, causing the movement of the holder device. films 43, including film carriers 129, to bring it to the top of its upward stroke as shown in Figures 9 and 10.



    The mouth of the active film holder 129 is then placed correctly above the inlet part 213 of the downward advancement mechanism as a result of the acc-
 EMI40.1
 tion of the dis} Jo.3i ;; if anti-game, coàmc is described previously

 <Desc / Clms Page number 41>

 and the upper surface of cam 126 closes switch 212 (Figures 11 and 26) to supply power to motor 211 of the descent mechanism. This supply of the Lictor 211 is made by a circuit going from the line 261 to the line 262 by a conductor 281 and also connected to the chopping solenoid 214 described above.



   The energization of the cutting solenoid has the effect, as has been described in US Pat. No. 2,534,214, of cutting the strip of film 133 from the roll of film remaining in the camera 34. The tape of film, the cut 133 is then sent from top to bottom in the film holder 129 as a result of the drive of the rollers
204 driven by the 211 engine.



   As will be appreciated by referring to the figure
26, closing switch 212 also establishes a circuit through conductor 281, conductor 282, coil
249 the conductor 283 and the conductor 269 connected to the line
262. The coil 249 is thus energized to return the contact levers 256. and 257 to their positions shown in the drawing. the circuit going through the contact lever
257 to the solenoid 142 is thus cut off, so that the spring 151 becomes operative to bring the plunger 143 of the solenoid and the sliders 144 and 146 from their position in figure '14 to their position in figure 13.

   The ankle
131
132 is thus raised and the pin / lowered, so that the next time the film holder device is spotted, the second film holder 129 will not be pivoted from its inner position to its outward position. The movement of the contact lever 256 again has the effect of closing the circuit of the coin return solenoid 228, the associated switch and the. light signal, which puts the device in position to receive a second coin.



   It should be noted that when the bottle holder device 43 is in its 1-- higher position

 <Desc / Clms Page number 42>

 with the film holder f29 above the basin 41a, as described, the vertical control pin-183 of the mechanism 130 coincides, as shown in figure 8, with an opening 188 of the star piece 121.

   This being the case, the spindle 183 remains in its lowered position despite the star piece being at the top of its travel, and the only operation of the synchronization mechanism occurring at this time has the effect of rotating the retaining pawl 169. in order to engage it with the ratchet wheel 161, as a result of the slider 144-.-and the hook piece 174 are brought into-Their initial positions when the solenoid 142 is disarmed -The rotational movement of the cam 101 (Figure 3) ¯ continuing in the mens of the needles of a watch, the slight descent of the device 43 of the film holders is done as above.

     then the marking at 'is performed when the control part 93 (figures, 5' and 6) passes over the pinion 62 and. -Finally the immersion of the aorta-film 129 and of the film strip takes place in the first container or basin., number 41c containing the developer, The real-development cycle is thus initiated and during the next movement of the device of the film holder, bring it to its highest position, when the driven roller 105 is on the -part 114 of the cam, the star piece 101 meets and raises the control pin 183 (figure 12)

   to move the control pawl 170 and thus rotate the ratchet wheel 161 one notch in the direction of the guillas one against. The cycle then continues, while the film strip 133 is subjected to the delay treatment: .-:;.:; liquids contained in basins 41.

   The synchronizer control spindle 183 is in the desired position to rotate the ratchet wheel HERE without clockwise 161, step by step, after every second mark on the film holder The wheel

 <Desc / Clms Page number 43>

 ratchet:

  does not rotate after the marks remain,., as a result of the space ent of the holes 188 in the etoliated part, as = 'is shown in figure 8, When the film strip133 has been fully developed to have been immersed in- the different stockings 41, after an almost complete turn of the starry room
121, with the film holder in the outward position or in operation-,

  129 arrives at a point above the basin 41b shown in Figures 8 and 25 and contechnt of the water. The film holder 129 is then immersed in this basin for the final washing of the film strip 133, after which the film holder is raised to its highest position shown in Fig. 22.

   The upper surface (the 1, -, cam 125 then meets and closes switch 226 to admit current to the motor.
224 of the unloading mechanism, so that the rollers
218 and 219 are actuated to drive the developed film web 133 out of the film holder 129 and transport it to the discharge passage 222.



   With the film strip 133 having been unloaded, the star piece 121 falls into the position shown in Fig. 24, where the film holder is clear of the discharge device 216, and is again marked. This next registration of the film holder device brings the lowered pin 131 into contact with the curved cam surface 134, as shown in figure 19, so as to rotate the film holder 129 inwardly inwardly. .the internal position above the central chamber 42.

   The cycle then continues until the film holder which had been bent for the film strip has arrived in the vicinity of the basin 41c shown in Figures 8 and 25 or after
16 marks of the film holder device When the film holder is raised to its highest position below the central chamber 42 'adjacent to the pelvis 41c

 <Desc / Clms Page number 44>

 
 EMI44.1
 the control pin 183 (figure 12) is active: ioc.i :: c ü -,:. ie, = nitre to move the pawl 170 and D.-2? ratchet wheel 161, until 1a ;;:.: oc11e 154 --lows down the left side of lever 189 and thus causes 1 "switch 193 to open so that the cycle is released. .



  In 'the preceding description of the cycle of opera-
 EMI44.2
 ti-o-ns, we assumed that a se #. coin had been inserted into the apparatus such that it was necessary to employ only one film holder 129 as described.

   It will be noted that during processing of the film in the active film holder, the remaining aorta / films were never immersed in any developing or flushing liquid, and therefore 11s could not produce pollution or contamination of the various liquids, as long as they were ..on the contrary lowered in the central chamber 42, as shown in Figure 2.



   It will now be assumed that during a previous development cycle (after closing switch '212), a second coin is introduced into slot 36 and that the time of introduction of this coin is found to be such that the solenoid 142 is energized while the
 EMI44.3
 room. starred 121 is at so = i, = and fie its course, ooame it is represented in figure 13.

   The resulting trips
 EMI44.4
 All of the plunger 143 then has the effect of ac ;, "Jnner the slider 144 and the hook 174 to rotate the retainer 169 so as to move it away from the ratchet wheel 161, so that the spring 163 will bring the ratchet wheel back to its starting position shown in figure 16. The ratchet 161 is again in its starting position.
 EMI44.5
 As a result, the a'p¯.re? 1 will go through a second full cycle of oß.r.tic, m (sixteen marks of the dandruff device) or until the second 1J1S .nde de pel- licule be vos.:Ul '..

   J ï wnt à4velop.4e e i ": C4al 3.ßty

 <Desc / Clms Page number 45>

 
Since it has been assumed that the solenoid 142 is energized and that the slider 144 is moved when the star piece 121 is in its highest position, the horizontal locking pin 196 is held by the control pin 183 and the pawl 170. in its position above stop 198, relative to Figure 13, such that slider 146 is moved along with slider 144 to lower pin 132 and raise pin 131.

   The next film holder which is actuated by the spindle 132 is then brought from its inner position to its outer position and the order of operations will be the same as in the case where only one piece of film has been introduced. change. Obviously, if the film holder, which follows the unloading is already in its external position,. the peg 132 will not exert any action, the result being to prevent the peg 131 from moving the film holder from its outer position to its inner position.



   In the event that the second coin is introduced at a time when the star coin 121 is not at the top of its travel when the solenoid 142 is energized, the locking pin 196 is in its lower position (figure 15) and prevents displacement '' of the slide
146. The excitation of the solenoid then has the effect of moving only the slide 144 and the associated pin 174, to free the ratchet wheel, and the pins 131 and 132 then remain stationary.

   However, as soon as the star piece 121 arrives again in its highest position, to actuate the control pin 183, the pin 196 is lifted and the tension spring 147 causes the second slider 146 to come into contact with it. the slide 144 of madiire a. move the pins 131 and 132 of the film holder selector The arrangement described where the pins 131 and 132 can only be moved when the star wheel @ 21 is in its highest position has the effect,

 <Desc / Clms Page number 46>

 It has already been said that the pegs never strike the upper surfaces of the film holder pins 126 during the registration of the film holder device.



   It is important that the fall of the cane 117 shown in the figure is insufficient to allow autamp pon 72 to disengage the spring ball 68. As a result,
 EMI46.1
 cook space ib2e or game n'e>: 1 # ioe 'Le raL, cre.e of the ij- positive of = ora-: liiculas 43, which is important to ensure an irreproachable cooperation of the ankles. 131 and
132 of the film holder selector with cams 126 ..



    CLAIMS
1 / Camera for exposing and developing films automatically, characterized in that it comprises a camera, a dark room, a series of basins or containers arranged .in the. darkroom and intended to contain liquids, processing, a series of film holders,. a device for feeding .the film from the camera into the individual film holders,

   a control device capable of acting to immerse in successive order into the liquids contained in the basins those of the film holders which have been selected while the remaining film holders are maintained in positions where they are not in contact with liquids, and devices for unloading films from film holders after they have been processed.


    

Claims (1)

2 / Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device is operable to immerse a number of selected film holders simultaneously in separate basins or containers. 3 / Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a support for EMI46.2 s'Z1, .Crt r of film carriers 1 #; li.iL-1: izl.s "1>, it i" .n eat <Desc / Clms Page number 47> rises in a position adjacent to each of the pools so as to be able to perform an up and down movement, a selector to actuate the individual film holders between a first position where the back and forth movement has the effect of submerging the individual film holders in adjacent basins and a second position where the individual film holders remain clear of adjacent basins. a device for locating the film holder support with a view to successive immersion in the basins of those of the individual film holders which are in the first position, and devices for positively associating the camera itself and the selector for the purpose of bringing an individual film holder to the first position only when a film has been exposed by the camera and this film holder is required for development of this film. 4 / Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the basins are arranged in a circle to form a central chamber, the support of the film holder being arranged such that the individual film holder can be lowered. in this central chamber when they occupy the second position, 5. Apparatus according to claims 3 or 4, charac- terized in that the selector is mounted close to the path of the horizontal path of the individual film holders resulting from the marking of the film holder support and is susceptible to to move between a point where it can be attacked by an individual film holder going in front when it occupies the first position, so as to bring the film holder into the second position and a point where it can be attacked by an individual film holder passing in front when it occupies the second position, so as to bring the film holder into the first position an adjustment device associated with the film holder being provided for actuating the selector. <Desc / Clms Page number 48> 6 / Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the individual film holders are mounted so as to be able to pivot on the support of the film holder and in that the selector comprises a cam and a control member. the. cam to rotate the individual film holders transversely to the horizontal paths of the path of the film holders and entered the first and second position. 7 / Apparatus according to claims 1 to 6, charac terized in that the support of the film holder is a horizontal star piece mounted on a vertical shaft to which a control device communicates a rotational and reciprocating movement and that the individual film carriers are mounted so as to be able to pivot on the arms of the star piece so as to be moved radially by the selector. $ / Apparatus according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a device is provided for transporting the exposed film from the camera or photographic apparatus proper to a point on the path traveled by the film holder individual when these occupy their first position, and in that an adjustment device is operable to cause a film holder to be in the first position at that point when there is there is an exposed film. 9 / Apparatus according to claims 1 to 8, charac- terized in that a device is provided at a point of the path traversed by the individual film holders when they occupy their initial positions, to remove a developed film. of a film holder and send it to a discharge point, as well as a controller operable to move the film holder from its first position to its second position after the film has been removed. developed licule has been removed. <Desc / Clms Page number 49> 10 Apparatus according to claims 1 5 carac EMI49.1 terisb in that it comprises a synchronization dLJl.-ü8i Gif operable to determine the period of operation of the control device, a device associated with the camera for initiating operation, of the synchronization device and a device capable of being actuated by the support of the film holders during its movement in order to control the synchronization device. Il / Apparatus according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a synchronization and selection mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel, a device urging the ratchet wheel towards a first position, a control pawl for making turning the ratchet wheel so as to bring it step by step from a first position to a second position, a retaining pawl to hold the ratchet wheel in any position where it has been brought step by step and against the action of the device which requests it, an adjustment device associated with the ratchet wheel to be actuated by the latter when the ratchet wheel occupies its second position, a control device acting when the ratchet is in operation. camera to activate the selector and temporarily release the retaining pawl, and a device capable of being actuated by the support of the film holders to actuate the control pawl. 12 / Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a device for preventing the selector from moving in a given direction, this locking device being capable of being released by the support of the film-holder when the latter ci is in a given position. 13 / Apparatus according to claims 1 12, carac EMI49.2 turieé: l what the camera p'oto; .ca - "! i e proI.11? I1.en says <Desc / Clms Page number 50> is arranged to expose a series of views on a single strip of film, and the selector is arranged relative to the camera such that the unloaded film holder is brought from the inoperative position to the forward operative position that the last frame is not exposed on this band.