US2834269A

US2834269A - Photographic apparatus including means for treating exposed photosensitive sheet material

Info

Publication number: US2834269A
Application number: US537982A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin H Land
Original assignee: Polaroid Corp
Current assignee: Polaroid Corp
Priority date: 1955-10-03
Filing date: 1955-10-03
Publication date: 1958-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 1975-05-13
Also published as: NL6512613A

Description

2,834,269 NG MEANS FOR TREATING SHEET MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet l E. H. LAND ARATUS INCLUDI HOTOSENSITIVE May 13, 1958 Flled Oct :5 1955 PHOTOGRAPHIC APP EXPOSED P ATTORNEYS May 13, 1958 E. H. LAND 2,834,269

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FOR TREATING EXPOSED PHOTOSENSITIVE. SHEET MATERIAL Filed Oct. 3, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 206 I94 2|0 I92 206 y I8? 2 I I82 I86 '7 A I98 I88 I94 I90 B I92 20s I 2o I74 I If I90 I f 9 186 so 1; I88 l/ I82 92 I6 I J96 3a {I59 I 5 FIG. 2 E/ ,4

40 Us j .20 I22 42 I44 I54 lazy 5 I70 I40-/ I72 loo I62 \ISO I48 I68 I ENTOR MAE/W BY M ATTORNEYS May 13, 1958 E. H. LAND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FOR TREATING EXPOSED PHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 3, 1955 FIG. 4

ATTORNEYS May 13, 1958 E. H. LAND 2,834,269

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FOR TREATING EXPOSED PHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 3, 1955 FIG.

FIG.

ATTORNEYS May 13, 1958 E. H. LAND 2,834,269

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FOR TREATING EXPOSED PHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5, 1955 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FOR TREATiNG EXPOSED PHOTO- SENSITIVE SHEET MATERIAL Edwin H. Land, Cambridge, Mass, assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Application October a, 1955, Serial No. 537,982

7 29 Claims. or. 95-43 This invention relates to photographic apparatus and more particularly to a novel camera for exposing and processing a photosensitive element. F

In general, the present invention is concerned with the provision of a simple and inexpensive camera of the selfdeveloping type for use with a film unit including a photosensitive element, preferably comprising a photosensitive layer carried by a support sheet, a second element or sheet superposable with the photosensitive element, and means containing aprocessing liquid. The two sheets, disposed on opposite sides of the photosensitive layer, are preferably opaque so as to prevent actinic light from reaching the photosensitive element when the photosensitive and second elements are superposed. The two elements comprising the film unit are displaceable from superposition with one another so as to permit exposure of the photosensitive layer when the film unit is positioned in the camera. While the second element, for example, may merely aid in the spreading of the processing composition in a uniform layer on the photosensitive layer, in a preferred form of film unit it serves as an image-receptive element or support for a positive print formed by diffusion transfer reversal.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel camera for so handling a film unit of this type as to expose the photosensitive element of said film unit and for thereafter processing said photosensitive element by superposing the second element therewith and distributing a processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a camera permitting exposure of the photosensitive layer of a single film unit, or of each of a plurality of film units, positioned in the camera and comprising two opaque elements disposed on opposite sides of the photosensitive layer, and being capable of superposing one of said opaque elements with the exposed photosensitive layer and distributing a processing composition on said photosensitive layer as said film unit is withdrawn from the camera.

A further object of the invention is to provide a camera of the above type especially adapted to cooperate in a novel manner with one or more elements of a film unit to provide means for superposing two opaque elements comprising said film unit and distributing a processing composition between said opaque elements.

It has been proposed to construct a camera of the type envisioned by the present invention having the advantages of maximum film frame size with minimum overall dimensions by folding the optical path between the taking lens and the focal surface of said lens. This is achieved, preferably, by providing the camera with one or more reflecting members for directing the light'from the lens to the photosensitive layer, positioned for exposure at the focal surface of said lens, along an angular or zigzag path which is substantially equal in length to the focal length of the lens and may be longer than the overall dimensions of the camera.

Patented May 13, 1958 Accordingly, it is still another object of the invention to provide a camera having an angular or zigzag optical path between the lens and the photosensitive element of a film unit positioned for exposure at tl e focal surface of said lens, said camera including at least one reflecting member positioned obliquely to the focal surface of said lens for directing light therefrom to said photosensitive element, said reflecting member cooperating with other elements of said camera to provide a chamber for so positioning the second element of said film unit as to permit exposure of said photosensitive element and superposition of the second element therewith following exposure.

Still further objects of the invention are: to provide a novel camera of the above type wherein a plurality of film units of the type described may be positioned with the photosensitive layer of each film unit spaced apart from second element of the unit and in position for exposure; to provide, in a camera of the above type, means cooperating in a novel manner with portions of each of said film units for substantially automatically controlling the thickness of a layer of processing composition distributed between the superposed photosensitive layer and second element during withdrawal of each film unit from the camera; and to provide a camera of the above type adapted to cooperate with a plurality of film units positioned in said camera so as to permit the withdrawal of only one of said film units at a time from said camera.

Other objects of the invention will in part be 0bvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a camera embodying the present invention, shown partially in section taken along a plane substantially midway between the sides of said camera with a photographic film unit positioned for exposure within said camera;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a camera embodying another form of the invention with a film pack operatively located within the camera;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a typical component of photographic film units useful in connection with cameras of the present invention, the thickness of the materials being exaggerated for purposes of illustration:

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional, detailed view showing a plurality of film units during movement of one film unit through a liquid-spreading means;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, partly in section of the film pack of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View, partially in section, of the camera of Fig. 2 showing in detail the liquid-spreading means of said camera;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially in section, of the camera of Fig. 2 showing in detail means for controlling the withdrawal of film units from said camera;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of another form of film pack useful in the camera of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary sectional view illustrating the structure and manner of operation of another liquid-spreading means; and

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of one component of the means of Fig. 9.

The camera of the present invention generally includes l 3 a housing mounting a conventional lens, means for positioning the photosensitive element of a film unit for exposure at the focal surface of said lens and means for so positioning the second element of the film unit as to permit exposure of the photosensitive element and superposition of the two elements with one another following exposure. in order to achieve a camera structure having minimum overall dimensions, the camera preferably includes at least one reflecting member so positioned in a plane oblique to the focal surface of the camera lens as to direct light transmitted by the lens to the photo sensitive element of a film unit positioned for exposure at the focal surface of said lens. The camera housing includes a passage for loading either a single film unit or a plurality of fllm units into the camera and means for positioning the photosensitive and second elements comprising each film unit so that the photosensitive element can e exposed and thereafter superposed with the second element during withdrawal of each film unit from the camera. The camera mayinciude means for separating the leading ends of superposed photosensitive and second elements comprising a film unit during movement of the film unit into the camera and means for positioning the photosensitive element for exposure apart from the second element with which it is superposable and at an obtuse angle with respect to the second element. The photosensitive and second elements may be joined together at their ends and the camera includes means adjacent the juncture of the two elements for superposing said elements and distributing a processing composition therebetween during withdrawal of the film unit from the camera.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1 of the drawings wherein there is illustrated one form of a hand-held camera embodying the present invention. The camera comprises a housing, generally designated at It}, having mounted thereon a lens and shutter assembly 12 of conventional design. The overall structure of housing is dependent on the formation of the particular optical system adapted to be mounted in and enclosed by the housing. The optical system, for example, may comprise, in addition to the lens of assembly 12, a single reflecting member such as a mirror so positioned obliquely in the path of light from. the lens as to direct the light to a photosensitive element positioned at the focal surface of the lens located substantially in a plane which is not perpendicular to the lens axis. A more preferred form of optical system is shown in the drawings and is adapted to provide a more compact camera structure. This optical system includes two reflecting

members

14 and 16 providing a zigzag optical path between the lens and its focal surface, the mirrors beingso positioned that light from the lens is directed by member 14 to member 16 and from there to a photosensitive element positioned at the focal surface of the lens.

In the form shown the lens of assembly 12 is located on the forward upper portion of housing 10 and the focal surface of said lens is located at the rear of the housing in a plane perpendicular to the lens axis. Reflecting member 14 is positioned behind the lens with its reflecting surface substantially in a plane at an angle, preferably 45, with the axis and the focal surface of the lens so as to direct light from the lens downward .and preferably at a right angleto the lens axis. Reflecting member 16 includes a reflecting surface located substantially in a plane in position to direct light from member 14 toward the focal surface of the lens and a photosensitive element positioned for exposure at said focal surface. The reflecting surface of member 16 is sufficiently larger than the reflecting surface of member 14 to accommodate the diverging light beam from the lens and is preferably parallel to the reflecting surface of member 14. A somewhat more compact camera con- I struction is illustrated in Fig. 2 and includes a similar optical system comprising two reflecting

members

14 and 16. The lens, however, is located in the forward portion of housing 10 with its axis disposed in a plane: parallel to its focal surface and member 14 is locatedv with its reflecting surface at an angle, preferably 45",.

with respect to the reflecting surface of member 16 so as to direct a beam from the lens rearward as well as downward toward member 16.

The camera housing 10 comprises an upper wall 18 for mounting reflecting member 14, two side walls 20, a lower wall 22 extending rearward and downward from assembly 12, and a rear wall 24.

rear of housing 10 and having a rear guide surface 28 disposed substantially in the focal surface of the lens of assembly 12 adjacent and substantially parallel to the inner surface of rear wall 24. The adjacent surfaces of

walls

24 and 26 define a chamber 30 in which the photosensitive element of a film assemblage is positioned for exposure on guide surface 28 of intermediate wall 26. To permit exposure of a photosensitive element positioned in chamber 30 against guide surface 28, wall 26 includes a rectangular exposure aperture 32 through which actinic light from the lens may be transmitted to the photosensitive element. Loading of a film unit into the camera is effected through a passage 34 provided in the housing between the lower and end portions of lower wall 22 and rear wall 24 at what would otherwise be the juncture of these walls.

Reflecting

members

14 and 16 may comprise, for example, conventional mirrors having plane front reflecting surfaces, member 14 being mounted on upper wall 18 and being of such dimensions as to intercept and reflect substantially the entire beam of taking light transmitted by the camera lens. Assembly 12 may include suitable means for so vignetting the lens, and upper wall 18 may be so formed that extraneous light entering the lens is prevented from being transmitted to a photosensitive element positioned at the focal surface of the lens. The inner surface of lower wall 22 is substantially flat and reflecting member 16 is'positioned adjacent lower wall 22 so as to provide therebetween a chamber 36 in which the second element of a film unit is positioned during exposure of the photosensitive element of said unit. To define chamber 36, member 16 is secured at its sides in side wall 20, at its upper end adjacent assembly 12 and at its lower end in an enlarged wall section 38 joined with intermediate wall 26 and located in passage 34. Section 38 is generally triangular in cross section, having a wedgeshaped apex 40 extending into passage 34 so as to divide the latter into two passages'leading to

chambers

30 and 36.

Film units useful in the camera of the present invention are generally of the type disclosed in Edwin H. Land, United States Patents Nos. 2,495,111, issued January 17, 1950, 2,543,181, issued February 27, 1951, and 2,609,296, issued September 2, 1952, and comprise a photosensitive sheet, a second sheet and means containing a processing liquid. A preferred form of film unit particularly adapted for use in the camera of Fig. 1 is described in detail in the copending application of Edwin H. Land et 31., Serial No. 429,185, filed May 12, 1954, and is shown for purposes of clarity of illustration with the thickness of the materials greatly exaggerated. This film unit cornprises a photosensitive element 42 including a layer of photosensitive material, preferably an emulsion of silver halide, in Which a latent image may be obtained by differential exposure to actinic light, a second sheet or element 44 adapted to serve as a support for a visible print of a latent image in the photosensitive layer, and a collapsible cavity 46 containing a processing liquid and hav- As a means for posi-- tioning the photosensitive element of a film unit for exposure at the focal surface of the lens of assembly 12,. there is provided an intermediate wall 26 located at the assumes and an alkali. Therfilmunit isprocessed by superposing the photosensitive and second elements and distributing the processing composition in a thin layer of uniform thickness between the photosensitive and second elements. in the presence of this layer of processing composition, a latent image in the photosensitive element is reduced to silver and a soluble silver complex, formed with the silver ofunreduced silver halide, is transferred by imbibition to the secondor image-receptive element and there is reduced to silver to produce a positive image. Photographic materials generally useful in the foregoing processes are described in detail in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,543,181.

The cavity 46 for the liquid processing reagent is lo cated at one end of the film unit adjacent the area of photosensitive element 42 adapted to be exposed in the camera and the cavity is generally elongated, extending transversely of

elements

42 and 44 substantially from side to side thereof. In order to render cavity 46 substantially airand water-vapor impervious, there is applied to the inner surface of elements 42 and 44 a thin film or sheet of a relatively vapor-impervious material such as a metal foil and there may be coated on the surface of said foil a further layer of a suitable plastic material which can be adhered to itself by the application of heat and/ or pressure and which is impervious to the processing liquid. The layers of metal foil are relatively thin and extend continuously from side to side of

elements

42 and 44 over the portions of said elements adapted to define the walls of cavity 6. To form cavity 46 the inner faces of the marginal portions of

elements

42 and 44 are bonded together and a discharge passage for cavity 46 is formed and directed toward the area of element 42 adapted to be exposed, by

transversely bonding elements

42 and 34 together along a line adjacent the aforementioned area. To assure rupture of this last seal when compressive pressure is applied to the liquid-carrying cavity 46, this seal or bond may be so formed as to be weaker than the bonds along the marginal edges of the elements. The vapor-impervi0us layers preferably extend along the marginal portions of

elements

42 and 44 so as to frame the area of photosensitive element 42 adapted to be exposed. These marginal portions of the vaporimpervious layers serve to confine the liquid content of cavity i=6, as it is spread in a layer between elements 32 and 44-, to the exposed area of element 42 and provide for a film unit of uniform thickness throughout its length at least over the area including the cavity and the portion of the photosensitive element adapted to be exposed.

By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, the liquid contents of cavity 46 may be spread between

elements

42 and 44 by advancing the liquid-containing portion of the film unit between a pair of suitable pressure-applying members spaced a predetermined fixed distance apart. The width of the gap between the pressure-applying memhers may be equal. to or slightly less than the combined thicknesses of the photosensitive element 4 2, second element 44 and the layers of vapor-impervious material, while the thickness of the layer of processing liquid spread between the photosensitive and second elements will be approximately equal to the combined thicknesses of the layers of vapor-impervious material which separates said elements from one another and define the margins of the area over which the liquid is spread.

In the preferred form of film unit, photosensitive and second elements )2 and 44 are formed of a sheet material which is opaque to actiuic light or includes an opaque outer layer in order to prevent exposure of the photosensitive layer when the photosensitive and second elements are in superposed position. The film unit is preferably supplied with the photosensitive and second elements adhered together in superposed position by a suit able adhesive along the margins of said elements, and the camera includes means for separating the photosensitive and'second elements and guiding them into

chambers

30 and 36, respectively, during movement of the film unit through passage 34 into exposure position within the camera. To facilitate the separation of the photosensitive and second elements during insertion of the film unit into the camera, the leading end portions of the two elements are adhered together, but the immediate edge portions are left separated and maybe formed so that they diverge slightly to permit the insertion of separating means between the two eiernents.

The preferred form of film unit, illustrated in Fig. 1, includes means for causing the spreading of the processing liquid between the photosensitive element 42 and second element 44 during withdrawal of the film unit firom the camera. This spreading means comprises a substantially rigid plate 48 having flanges 50 along its sides to increase its rigidity and strength and an elongated slot 53. through which the film unit projects. To effect the spreading of the processing liquid from cavity 46 between

elements

42 and 44, the film unit is drawn through slot 52 starting with the end of the film unit adjacent cavity 46. The slot may have slightly convergent sides to facilitate movement of the film unit therethrough and the minimum width of the slot is substantially equal to the thickness of the film unit including the photosensitive element 42, second element 44 and layers of vapor-impervious material between the two elements. This type of spreading means may be sufliciently inexpensive so as to permit its being supplied with each film unit and discarded following use.

The film

unit comprising elements

42 and 44 is loaded into the camera in exposure position by inserting the leadingends of the superposed elements into passage 34 and pushing the film unit through the passage. To prevent the admission of light through passage 34, pads 54, formed of a suitable yielding or flocked material or fabric such as velvet or the like adapted to engage the film unit in a lighttight fashion, are secured to

walls

22 and 24 comprising pas-sage 34. As a means for separating the photosensitive and second elements and guiding them, respectively, into chambers and 36, the apex of enlarged section 38 is so sharpened and positioned as to extend between the leading end portions of

elements

42 and 44 as they move through the passage and direct the two elements into their respective chambers.

When the photosensitive element of a film unit is in position for exposure in chamber 30, the portion of the film unit comprising liquid-carrying cavity 46 extends exteriorly of passage 34. As a means for protecting this portion of the film unit during storage and handling and while the film unit is in the camera and for aiding and rendering the film unit lighttight, there is provided a cover element or envelope 56 preferably formed of substantially stiff paper or cardboard. Cover element 56 fits snugly around the portion of the film unit adjacent cavity 46 and the other portions of

elements

42 and 44 and extends toward spreader plate 48 where it is secured. When the photosensitive and second elements of the film unit are in exposure position within the camera, cover element 56 may extend partially into passage 34 into engagement with pads 54 and in this manner aids in preventing exposure of the photosensitive element during withdrawal of the film unit from the camera through slot 52 in plate 48.

The camera includes means cooperating with spreader plate 48 to hold and position the latter so that it is capable of spreading the processing liquid between

elements

42 and 44 during their withdrawal from the camera through passage 34. In the form shown, this last-mentioned means comprises a pair of clamping

plates

58 and 60 extending from the camera housing adjacent opposite sides of passage 34. Clamping plate 58 includes an enlarged mid-portion 62 at which it is pivotally mounted on pin 64 secured to lower wall 22 of housing 19 ad jacent passage 34, an actuating arm 66 extending generally parallel with wall 22, and an elongated clamping jaw 68 at least equal in width to the length of spreader plate 48. A suitable resilient means, such as a spring 70 secured between arm 66 and rear wall 24, is provided for urging jaw 68 forward (in a counterclockwise direction viewing Fig. 1). Clamping plate 60 comprises a cen tral section 72 at which it is pivotally mounted on pin 74 secured to rear wall 24 adjacent passage 34, an elongated clamping jaw 76 similar to and equal inwidth to jaw 68, and an actuating arm 78' disposed in generally parallel relation to rear wall 24. Clamping jaw 76 is resiliently biased toward jaw 68 (in a clockwise direction) by means such as a spring 80 secured between arm 78 and wall 24.

Clamping

jaws

68 and 76 include reentrant sections 82 adjacent their free ends and are adapted to engage and retain plate 48 when the latter is positioned between the jaws. To position spreader plate 48 between

jaws

68 and 76 the latter may be pivoted apart by manual pressure on, respectively,

arms

66 and 78; or, in the preferred form shown, the end portions of

jaws

68 and 76 have divergent opposed surfaces for coacting with the spreader plate to separate the jaws as said plate is inserted therebetween during movement of a film unit into the camera. It may be desirable to render the chamber bounded by

jaws

68 and 76 and the pressure plate 48 lighttight in order to insure against exposure of the photosensitive element during withdrawal of the film unit from the camera through slot 52. This may be accomplished by providing extended portions 84 on side walls along opposite sides of

jaws

68 and 76 so that the jaws pivot between portions 84, and providing extensions 86 on

walls

22 and 24 projecting on opposite sides of passage 34 between

jaws

68 and 76 and having end portions adapted to seat in recesses formed in the inner surfaces of jaws 68 and 76- when the jaws are closed around a spreader plate. While the spreader plate has been shown as a disposable element of the film unit, suitable spreading means capable of defining a gap through which the film unit may be withdrawn may be provided on the camera itself. Such means would be adapted to be spaced apart to permit the insertion of a film unit into the camera and then operatively positioned with the end of the film unit extending through the gap.

In the operation of the camera of Fig. l, the ends of photosensitive element 42 and second element 44 comprising a film unit are inserted into passage 34 and moved against the apex 40 of section 38 to

separate elements

42 and 44 and guide them, respectively, into chambers and 36. The film unit including spreader plate 48 is advanced toward and through passage 34 until plate 48 is retained between clamping

jaws

68 and 76 in engagement with reent-rant sections 82. Following exposure of the photosensitive element the ends of the elements comprising the film unit and extending through slot 52 in spreader plate 48 are grasped and manually drawn through slot 52 for superposing

elements

42 and 44 and distributing the processing liquid in a thin layer between the elements. The processing liquid is preferably viscous and this serves to adhere the opaque photosensitive and second elements in superposed relation, preventing exposure of the photosensitive element during processing. The processing liquid may also contain a suitable dye or dispersed material which is opaque to actinic light and serves to prevent light from reaching the photosensitive layer by entering between the opaque elements around their edges while they are superposed during processing. Following withdrawal of a film unit from the camera, the spreader plate 48 associated with the film unit may be disengaged from

jaws

68 and 76 by depressing

arms

66 and 78 to spread the jaws apart.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2 of the drawings where in there is shown another camera embodying the present invention, like numerals being used to denote parts like those in the previous figures. The camera comprises a housing 10 and a lenses and shutter assembly mounted thereon with the axis of the lens in a plane parallel with the focal surface of the lens, the numeral being used to designate the aperture of the lens for illustrating its position. The housing includes an upper wall 18, two side walls 20, a lower wall 22, a rear wall 24 and an intermediate wall 26 located adjacent rear wall 24 and having a guide surface 28 located at the focal surface of the lens. The lens and shutter assembly is mounted on one of side walls 20 and a reflecting member 14 is so mounted in the upper portion of housing 10 that its reflecting surface is capable of directing a beam of light from the lens downward, and preferably at aright angle to the lens axis, to the reflecting surface of a reflecting member 16 positioned adjacent lower wall 22 preferably with its reflecting surface parallel with the lens axis and inclined at a 45 angle with respect to the focal surface of the lens.

While this camera is similar in many respects to the camera of Fig. 1, it is especially adapted to be loaded with a plurality of film assemblages and to successively expose an area of the photosensitive element of each film assemblage and, following exposure, to process each film assemblage by superposing the exposed area of the photosensitive element with an area of a second element and distributing processing liquid therebetween during withdrawal of the film unit from the camera. Accordingly, chamber 30, defined by rear wall 24 and intermediate wall 26, and chamber 36, defined by lower wall 22 and reflecting member 16, are sufiiciently deep to accommodate a plurality of photosensitive and second elements. As a means for successively positioning each of a plurality of photosensitive elements for exposure against guide surface 23 of wall 26, there is provided in chamber 30 a pressure plate 92 urged by a spring 94 toward wall 26. The area of pressure plate 92 is at least equal to, and preferably larger than, the exposure aperture 32, and its lower end portion is curved or beveled to facilitate the insertion of a plurality of photosensitive elements between plate 92 and wall 26.

A film assemblage adapted for use in the camera of Fig. 2 preferably comprises a first or photosensitive element generally designated at 96, a second or image-receptive element 98 and a container 100 carrying a processing liquid. The photosensitive element 96, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, comprises an opaque backing sheet 102 having a photosensitive layer 104 secured thereto and adapted to be exposed to actinic light to produce a latent image. The photosensitive layer 104 may comprise a photosensitive material such as an emulsion of silver halide cast directly on backing sheet 102 or preferably may comprise a separate photosensitive sheet secured to the backing sheet. One end of the backing sheet functions as a leader 1% and a container may be secured to leader 106 adjacent photosensitive layer The second element 98 of the film unit comprises opaque backing sheet 108 substantially equal in size and shape to backing sheet 102 and including an image-receptive layer 165 supeiposable with the'photosensitive layer 104 of element 96. Image-receptive layer may comprise an especially coated area of backingsheet 168 or it may preferably comprise a separate sheet secured to backing sheet 108. An end portion 110 of sheet 108, substantially equal in length to leader E06, acts as a leader for the second element so that when the photosensitive and second elements have been loaded into the camera and exposed therein in a separated condition, the two leaders may be employed for withdrawing the two elements comprising the film unit from the camera in superposed relation. The container 100 of the film unit may be secured to leader 110 of second element 98 adjacent the image-receptive area thereof rather than to leader 106 of photosensitive element 96.

In the illustrated embodiment, container 100 comprises two elongated

rectangular wall sections

112 and 114 similar in peripheral outline and bonded together at their margins to form a cavity 116 for the processing liquid. Wall fs ect;ions;112.-and.114 areformed preferably ofa multi-ply sheet material which is impervious to the processing liquid liquid contents of the container are discharged upon the application of compressive pressure on the walls of the container. The container is secured to either the photosensitive 'orsecond element of the film unit with the discharge mouth extending transversely of the elements and directed toward the photosensitive and image-receptive layers of the elements over which the processing liquid is to be distributed.

To process a film unit the photosensitive and

second elements

96 and 98 are superposed with ya film unit therebetween and are advanced between spreading means capable of applying compressive pressure on the film unit so asto cause the liquid content of the container to be ejected therefrom and distributed in a uniformly thin layer between the photosensitive layer 104 of element 96 and the image-receptive layer of second element 98. A preferred form of spreading means comprises a pair of members predeterminedly spaced apart so as to provide a fixed gap through which the film unit is moved. The thickness of the layer of processing liquid spread between the two elements is determined by the Width of this gap, the :latter being preferably equai in width to the combined thickness of

backing sheets

102 and 108, photosensitive layer 104, image-receptive layer 105 and the thickness of the layerof processing liquid, indicated at 111 in Fig. 4, spread between the photosensitive and image-receptive layers. Since the gap between the spreading members is preferably fixed, it is desirable that the combined thickness of the

wall sections

112 and 114 of container 100 and

backing sheets

102 and 108 does not exceed the width of the gap and is preferablyequal to the width of the gap.

To permit the loading of a plurality of film units into exposure position, the camera includes a passage 34 between the junction of

walls

22 and 24. Enlarged section 38 mounting one end of reflecting member 16 and joined with intermediate wall 25 includes a wedge-shaped apex 4%) extending into passage34. Means are provided for rendering passage 3-4 lighttight when one or more film .units are positioned in'the camera. In the form shown in Fig. 2, the last-mentioned means includes an elongated resilient light-shielding member 118, having a generally U-shaped cross section, secured at one arm to rear wall 24 so that the other arm extends into passage 34. Member 113 is provided with a pad of pile fabric, flocking or the like secured to the arm extending into the passage and adapted to bear against the surface of a film .unit positioned in passage 34 to prevent light'from leaking past the film unit. 1 Another elongated resilient shielding member 120 is secured to lower wall 22 and includes a portion provided with a light-shielding pad extending into passage 34 toward member 118. Members 118 and 12th are deformable and extend sulficiently into passage 34 to seal the latter against the admission of light with either a single film unit or a plurality of film units extending through the passage. Suitable additional light-shielding pads of pile fabric or flocking may be provided in passage 34 secured to side walls 20 to prevent the admission of light around the edges of the film units extending through the passage.

A plurality of film units are provided in a novel film pack adapted to be loaded into the camera. The photosensitive elements 96 comprising the film units are stacked together in facing relation for insertion through passage 34 into chamber 36 and the second elements 98 of the film units are similarly stacked for insertion into chamber 36. The film pack includes an opaque envelope 122 for-the film units adapted to enclose the two stacks of ,stack of second elements 98.

.10 photosensitive and second elements disposed'in facing relation with the photosensitive layers lit-rand imagereceptive layers in. facing relation and with their backing layers disposed outermost. The two elements comprising the first of the film units to be exposed and processed are located adjacent one another and the elements comprising each successive film unit are disposed progressively outward so that the photosensitive and second elements of the last film unit to be exposed comprise the outermost layers of the stacks of elements. Envelope 222 comprises

sections

124 and 126 adapted to enclose, respectively, a plurality of photosensitive elements 96 and second elements 98.

Sections

124 and 126 are formed of any suitable flexible sheet material such as black paper which is opaque to actinic light, and section is generally rectangular in shape and conforms to the shape of the stack of photosensitive elements so as to cover the exterior of said stack of elements from the end of said stack adapted to be inserted into the camera to the portion of said stack in the regionof containers 1%. Section 124 includes edge portions 128 extending around the ends and sides of the stack of photosensitive elements 96 between the latter and the Section 126 is substantiallyflidentical to section 124 and encloses a plurality of second elements 98. Section 126 includes edge portions 13;) extending around the end and sides of the stack of second elements 98 between the latter and the aforementioned stack of photosensitive elements. Sections, designated at 132, of the edge portions 128 and 13!) disposed adjacent containers 10% extend around the stacks of photosensitive and second elements rather than between said elements so as to provide a noninterrrupted envelope around the portion of the photosensitive and second elements including containers 1%. The edge portions 128 and 13d of

envelope sections

124 and 126 cent t-he end of envelope 122 may not be adhered to one another, thereby allowing wedge-shaped apex 40 of enlarged section 33 to rupture the adhesive and enter between the stacks of photosensitive and second elements during movement of the film pack through passage 34.

Thus, as the film pack is advanced through passage 34 against apex it), the two stacks of elements comprising .a plurality of film units are separated and guided into their respective chambers 3t and 36 into position for exposure. During movement of the film pack into exposure position, light-shielding

members

118 and 120 engage the envelope to prevent the admission of light into the camera.

;As hereinbefore mentioned, the processing liquid is spread-from container tilt? between the photosensitive 'and'second elements comprising a film .unit during the advancement of the film unit through a gap of predetermined Width. When a film pack comprising a plurality of film units is positioned in the camera, the leaders 106 and are adapted to extend through this gap. Following exposure of the photosensitive layer 104 of a film .unit, the two innermost leaders 106 and 110 comprising the photosensitive and second elements of the exposed film unit are drawn through the gap and between the leaders comprising the next successive film units. As ;acontai;ner 1%, attached to either of the leaders, passes-through the gap the liquid content of the container is discharged between the two elements and is spread between the photosensitive layer 184 and image-receptive layer 1&5 as the portion of the film unit comprising said layers is drawn through the gap between the leaders of the remaining film units.

The means providing this gap is shown diagrammatieally "in-section in Fig. 4 in order to illustrate the method which in. turn determines the thickness of the layer of processing liquid spread between the photosensitive and image-receptive elements. In the form shown the height of shoulders 138 and therefore the width of the gap is substantially equal to the combined thickness of

backing sheets

102 and 108, photosensitive layer 104, image receptive layer 105 and the layer of liquid to be spread between the photosensitive and image-receptive layers. While shoulders 138 are illustrated as being on movable member 136, they may be on fixed member 134 as well, or, if desired, on both members so long as their combined height does not exceed the gap width. As shown in the drawings, leaders 1.06 and 110 are formed wider than the photosensitive and

second layers

104 and 105 to adapt them for use with spreading means of the type illustrated. Shoulders 138 are spaced apart so that the portions of the photosensitive and second elements comprising the photosensitive and image-receptive layers are free to pass through the gap between the shoulders and the leaders are of such width that the shoulders bear against the edge portions of said leaders. Movable member 136 is urged toward fixed member 134 so that as the leaders of an exposed film unit are advanced from engagement with shoulders 138 the gap between the leaders of the remaining film units is equal to the height of the shoulders, and it is through this gap that the portion of the film unit including the photosensitive and image-receptive layers is drawn. This resilient means is preferably of such strength that, for most practical purposes, the gap between the leaders is fixed with respect to the film unit being advanced therethrough. By virtue of this arrangement, an inexpensive spreading means can be achieved which is capable of distributing a uniformly thin layer of processing liquid between the photosensitive and second elements of a plurality of successive film units regardless of their number. The thickness of the layer of processing liquid may be varied, if desired, by changing the height of shoulders 138 and/or varying the thicknesses of the materials comprising

backing sheets

102 and 108, photosensitive layer 104 or imagereceptive layer 105.

Spreading means of the foregoing type is illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings and comprises a generally rectangularly shaped frame 140 comprising a forward wall 142, a rear wall 144 and two end walls 146 secured to the camera housing in surrounding relation to passage 34. The fixed spreading member of the spreading means shown comprises an integral portion of rear wall 144 folded toward forward wall 142 and back upon itself to form a substantially rigid spreader member, generally designated at 148, having a substantially straight edge portion extending transversely of passage 34 and in a plane substantially parallel with the focal surface of the camera lens. End walls 146 are preferably parallel and spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the leaders comprising the film units, and spreader member 148 extends into contact with both end walls 146 and may be joined therewith in a light-tight manner. A movable spreader member, generally designated at 150, is provided and comprises an elongated plate 152 having a generally channel-shaped cross section and is substantially equal in length to fixed spreader member 148. Plate 152 is provided with a pair of dependent arms 154 preferably formed integrally therewith and so constructed as to extend in the same direction adjacent and between end walls 146. Each of arms 154 includes a hole 156 adjacent its end at which plate 152 is pivotally mounted on pins 159 extending through end walls 146 into enlarged section 38. Plate 152 is generally U-shaped in cross sectionand comprises a connecting base portion 158, a rear side portion 160 and a forward side portion 162 extending from base portion 158. When plate 152 is piovtally mounted between end walls 146 on arms 154 at pins 159, forward wall 142 of frame 140 extends between rear side portion 160 and forward side portion 162 of plate 152. 7

Rear side portion 160 of plate 152 is formed to provide a shoulder 164 located at the juncture of said side portion and base portion 158 and extending the full length of plate 152. Shoulder 164 defines a substantially straight surface or edge comprising one side of the gap through which the film units are adapted to be advanced. The aforementioned shoulders at the ends of the movable spreader member adapted to define the width of the spreader gap may be provided, in the form shown, as a pair of strips 166 of a thickness equal to the desired depth'of the spreader gap, secured to plate 152 at its ends, and extending along arms 154. Alternatively, the shoulders may be provided on fixed spreader member 148, and may be so constructed as to permit adjustment to various heights to accommodate film units of 'diiferent thicknesses or for varying the thickness of the layer of processing liquid.

Movable spreader member 150 is resiliently urged toward fixed member 148 by such means as a leaf spring 168 secured to the rear of forward Wall 142 of frame 140 and between wall 142 and rear side portion 160 of plate 152 so as to exert pressure on plate 152, urging the latter rearward toward fixed member 148. As a means for spacing movable member 150 apart from fixed member 148 to permit the insertion of film units into the camera, there is provided a cylindrical cam 170 pivotally secured to the exterior of forward wall 142 of frame 140 and positioned to engage forward side portion 162 of plate 152 and move the latter forward when the cam is pivoted. Cylindrical cam 170 is the major arc of a circle in shape and has secured thereto a handle 172 adapted to facilitate manual rotation of the cam from its normal position with its straight side located closely adjacent the edge of side portion 162, in order to pivot spreader member 150 away from fixed member 148.

To permit loading of a film pack comprising a plurality of film units into the camera,

spreader members

148 and 150 are spaced apart by rotating cam 170. This permits the leading end of the film pack to be inserted into passage 34 between resilient light-shielding

members

118 and 120 and moved through the passage against wedge-shaped apex 40 of section 38 whereby the stacks of photosensitive elements 96 and second elements 98 are separated and guided into

chambers

30 and 36, respectively. The fihn pack is moved into the camera until further movement is prevented by the engagement of sections 132 of envelope 122 with section 38 of the camera housing, at which time the portion of the film pack including containers is positioned exterior of passage 34 between the latter and

spreader members

148 and 150. Envelope 122 covers at least the section of the film unit extending between light-sealing members 118 and and preferably the portion of the film unit within the chamber formed by frame and the spreader members, and may or may not extend between the spreader members themselves. Cam 170 is then pivoted so as to allow spreader member to move under the bias of spring 168 into engagement with the stack of leaders 106 and 110 extending between the spreader members. The leaders extend beyond the spreader members a suflicient length to allow them to be grasped by the operator. To assure that the operator pulls the two proper leaders each time, leaders 106 and 110 comprising the elements of the first film unit to be exposed and processed are of the same length and longer than th remaining leaders and each successive pair of leaders are equal in length and shorter than the previous pair of leaders so that the operator may only grasp the longest and innermost pair of leaders after each exposure to be sure of withdrawing the proper pair of elements from the camera. The film pack may be supplied initially with the leaders 106 and 110 of the first film unit secured to one another. As a film unit is withdrawn from the camera between the spreader members,

the processing liquid is spread between the superposed photosensitive and image-receptive layers during movement of that portion of the unit through the gap defined by the remaining leaders and spreader members. By virtue of their construction and mounting, frame 140, together with spreader members 143 and 150, may define a lighttight chamber which aids in preventing exposure of the photosensitive element during withdrawal from the camera and superposition with the second element.

Another means providing a pressure-applying or liquidspreading gap is illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 9 and 10 and is adapted to manual adjustment of the width of the gap to accommodate variations in the number of film units extending between the members defining the gap, This gap is defined, for example, by a fixed member 2214 and another member 216 movable toward and away from the fixed member and spring-biased toward said fixed member. The spacing between the members is variable and is controlled by such means as a pair of cams Zlti which engage end sections of member 216. The operation of the pressure-applying members is illustrated, by a showing in Fig. 10, of successive photosensitive sheets indicated at arranged in one stack between

members

214 and 216, corresponding image-receiving sheets 222 arranged in corresponding stacked relation and a layer of liquid 22d distributed between the two innermost photosensitive and image-receiving sheets comprising a film unit. Suitable light-shielding means (not shown) may be incorporated into the structure of any device operating on the principles illustrated by Fig. 9 in order to prevent premature exposure of light-sensitive materials of the film units. When this type of spreading device is employed, the sheets comprising the film units may be of uniform width and need not be provided with leaders of greater width. The cams 213, or other suitable manually engageable means such as knobs secured thereto, may be provided with suitable indicia as shown in Fig. 10 for indicating to the operator the setting of the cams for spreading a liquid between each particular film unit, the cams being so constructed and the indicia being so arranged that the gap is widest when the first (innermost) film unit is moved between the pressure-applying members and is decreased for each successive film unit to its narrowest width for the last (shown as eighth) film unit as the latter is drawn through the gap.

It becomes apparent that the liquid-spreading device shown in Fig. 6 could be readily modified to operate on the principles illustrated in Fig. 9. For example, strips 2166 providing shoulders on one of the pair of pressureapplying members could be eliminated and cam 170 employed for manually controlling the width of the spreading gap. Suitable indicia could then be provided on forward wall 142 for designating settings of cam 170 to provide predetermined gap widths. in another form of the invention, the liquid-spreading device and at least one of the elements of each film unit are so constructed that as a film unit is withdrawn from the camera a portion of one of the elements is advanced behind one of the pressureapplying members so as to close the gap between the members by a predetermined amount sufiicient to adjust the gap for withdrawal of the film unit.

Liquid-spreading devices based on the principles illus trated in Fig. 4 or Figs. 9 and 10 and the herein-disclosed arrangement of film units for spreading a liquid between a pair of sheets comprising a film unit as the two sheets are advanced between the leaders of successive film units the processing liquid spread from the container.

may be incorporated into a magazine structure of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 437,05 8, filed June 16, 1954. This type of magazine may be provided with a plurality of photosensitive and image-receiving elements arranged in separate Staci-1s with leaders attached to each element and extending between a pair of pressure-applying members.

As a means for positioning successive photosensitive elements for exposure in chamber 3t), there are provided a pressure plate 174 and spring T176 within chamber 30 adapted. to bear against the rear of a stack of photosensitive elements and hold them against intermediate wall 26. The photosensitive layers 1% of the photosensitive elements are preferably wider than the film frame aperture 32 and the spacing between edge portions lZfi of envelope 122 is at least equal to the width of aperture 32 so that edge portions 128 do not interfere with exposure of the photosensitive layer of each film unit through aperture 32.

To insure distribution of the processing liquid in a uniform layer of predetermined thickness, the processing liquid in container 1% is preferably provided in a quantity in excess of the actual amount required for the layer of predetermined thickness and area. As a film unit is withdrawn from the camera between the leaders of the remain ing film units, the excess processing liquid is exuded from between the ends of the photosensitive and second elements and is trapped between the leaders of the next successive film unit. Were this trapped processing liquid allowed to dry before this next film unit were withdrawn from the camera, it would pose no problem. However, it may be desirable to immediately expose and process this next film unit and to prevent the trapped excess liquid from being spread within this next film unit as it is withdrawn from the camera through the spreader gap, means are provided for trapping this liquid so that it cannot be spread past container res and thereby contaminate In a preferred form shown, each container 1% is provided with two lateral extensions 173 which cooperate with the leaders res and 11 d to space the leaders apart and provide a cavity within which this excess processing liquid from the previous film unit is trapped.

During withdrawal of a film unit from the camera between the leaders of the remaining film units, frictional forces may be exerted on the other film units, tending to move them from th camera. Accordingly, the camera includes holding means cooperating with the film units for preventing their premature movement or withdrawal from the camera during withdrawal of a film unit therefrom. To adapt them for use with one form of holding means, the backing sheets 1.02 and 1%, respectively, of the photosensitive and second elements are provided with a series of holes lfitl adjacent their ends, the number of holes in each backing sheet being one less than the number of film units to be loaded at one time into the camera. The holes 18d in each element of a stack are evenly spaced across each element and are aligned with the holes in the other elements.

Sections

124 and 126 of envelope 122. are provided with corresponding sets of holes also designated at and located in alignment with the holes in the stacks of elements carried by the envelope sections.

The holding means of the camera comprises a pin 182 located in each of chambers 34 and .36 and adapted to project through the ali ned holes in each stack of envelopes and thereby engage and retain the stack of elements within the chamber in which the particular pin is positioned. To permit the withdrawal of only one element at a time from the chamber while retaining the remaining elements therein, the edge portion or" the backing sheet between a hole and the end of the backing sheet of the one element is cut away so as to form a slot 184 which permits free withdrawal of that one particular element even though the pin is projecting through the hole with which the slot communicates. Thus, for example, when a stack of eight photosensitive elements is to be loaded into the camera, each element includes seven holes. A slot 184 is provided in the first element com municating between the end of the element and the first hole and the pin 182 projects through the first hole in all the elements, retaining them in the camera as the first element is withdrawn. The pin may then be positioned in the second hole of each of the remaining elements and the second element to be withdrawn is provided with a slot 184 communicating with the second hole in said element and permitting its withdrawal from the camera, while the remaining elements (2 through 8) are retained in the camera. In this manner the elements can be withdrawn in succession until the last element remains and then the pin is withdrawn from the last hole to permit withdrawal of the last element. 1f the pin is moved successively from one position to another, this arrangement also prevents the withdrawal of an element of a film unit out of its regular order in addition to providing a ready indication of the number of film units remaining in the camera.

It has been found that the film unit most likely to be withdrawn along with the exposed film unit is the next successive film unit after the one being withdrawn, and if the element of a film unit immediately adjacent the moving element is secured against movement, the remaining elements will not move even though they are not secured. Accordingly, each element need have only two apertures through which a pin is adapted to project with alternate apertures in successive elements being slots. Thus, for example, aperture 1 in elements 1, '5, 5 and 7 is a slot and aperture 2 in elements 2, 4, 6 and 8 is a slot. It would then be necessary to move each of pins 182 to only two alternative positions or to provide two pins which can be alternatively inserted through the apertures 180 in the elements. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, two pairs of pins 182 are mounted so as to extend into

chambers

30 and 36 and engage a pair of apertures in the end of the stack of elements positioned in each chamber.

Means are provided for so mounting the two pins 182 of each pair that they may be positioned alternately in engagement with the elements, or simultaneously out of engagement position in order to permit the loading of a plurality of film units into the camera. The last-mentioned means for mounting a pair of pins comprises a pair of elongated resilient arms 186 and 183 each secured at one end to the wall of the camera housing comprising the outer wall of the chamber and may be secured, for example, to walls 2?, and 24. Pins 182 are mounted on

arms

186 and 188 adjacent the free ends of the arms so as to project through a pair of holes 190 in the outer wall of the

chamber underlying arms

186 and 188. Pins 182 normally project through holes 1% into the chamber in position to engage the apertures in a stack of elements and either or both pins are positioned out of their normal engagement position by deforming the

resilient arms

186 and 188 on which they are mounted. As a means for deforming arms 186 and 183 either simultaneously or alternately, there is provided a generally rectangular actuating plate 192 positioned for sliding movement in a narrow recess or channel 194 in the housing wall at the end of the chamber. Recess 194 extends transversely of the direction of movement of the elements through the chamber, is substantially equal in width to plate .192, is longer than the plate so as to permit limited sliding movement thereof and is of such a depth that a portion of the plate projects exteriorly of the outer wall when the plate is resting on the bottom of the recess. Actuating plate 1 12 includes an upper portion 196 projecting from the recess, a base portion 198 and an aperture between the two portions so formed as to define an actuating portion 2th extending upward from base portion 198. Actuating portion 2% includes a generally flat engagement section 282 at its mid-portion and inclined sections 204 at its ends sloping from section 202 toward base portion 198. The free end portions 206 of

arms

186 and 188 are bent substantially at right angles to the arms and extend into a recess 2% provided for this purpose in the outer wall of the housing. End portions 206 extend into recess 208 closely adjacent or in contact with actuating plate 192 and are provided with engagement sections 211) which extend into the aperture in plate 192 so as tocoact with the engagement sections of actuating portion 200 for deforming

arms

186 and 188. Engagement sections 210 are so positioned with respect to one another that, when actuating plate 192 is at a central position, they are supported at the same time on the ends of flat section 202 of actuating portion 2% whereby both

arms

186 and 188 are deformed and pins 182 are held out of engagement position. Movement of actuating plate 192 in either direction from this central position is effective to allow one of the engagement sections 210 to ride down an inclined section 264 of actuating portion 200 toward base portion 198 while the other engagement section 210 remains supported on flat section 202. This allows one of the

resilient arms

186 and 188 to return to its normal position with the pins 182 mounted thereon in position to engage elements in the chamber. To reverse the position of the pins, plate 192 is moved in the opposite direction to the limit of recess 194 whereby the engagement section 210 of the normally positioned arm rides up an inclined section 204 and is supported on fiat section 202 while the other engagement section 210 comprising the previously deformed arm rides down the opposite inclined section 204, allowing that arm to assume its normal position with the pin attached thereto in engagement position. Upper portion 196 of plate 192 projects from recess 194 to provide a convenient means for manually engaging and moving the plate, and the mid-portion of section 292 of actuating portion 200 may be slightly higher than the ends of said section, as shown, so that a slight resistance is offered to movement of plate 192 when the plate is centrally positioned and both

arms

186 and 188 are deformed.

Another means for insuring the Withdrawal of the film units singly and in proper order is embodied in the film pack itself and comprises securing the elements of each film unit to the elements of the next successive film unit and the elements of the last film unit to the envelope 122 in which they are supplied. The camera is adapted for use with this type of film pack by the inclusion of any suitable means for retaining the envelope against movement within the camera housing. The elements of each film unit, except the first film unit, are secured to the elements of the next successive film unit in such a manner as to be released immediately following withdrawal of the previous film unit from the camera. This may be effected by providing a row of apertures 212 across the leaders of the photosensitive and second elements adjacent container 1%, the row of apertures being located between the containers and the spreader gap when the film units are in exposure position within the camera. The apertures in a row are spaced apart by a distance which is greater than the width of each aperture and the apertures in alternate leaders are aligned. For example, in a film pack comprising 8 film units, the apertures in the leaders comprising film units 2, 4, 6, and 8 are aligned and the apertures in the leaders comprising

film units

3, 5 and 7 are aligned and located between the apertures in the even numbered film units. The leaders of each film unit are secured to the leaders of the next successive film unit by providing a material having adhesive properties in the apertures of the firstmentioned leaders so that said material forms a bond with the next leaders between the apertures of those leaders, and the leaders of the last film unit are secured to the envelope by an adhesive material located in the apertures of said last leaders. The material used in the apertures to secure the leaders together is one which is soluble in or softened by the processing liquid and is preferably a plastic whose adhesive properties are impaired by reagents in the processing liquid. The adhesive material securing the film unit to the next successive film unit is so weakened by excess processing liquid trapped between the leaders of the film unit during withdrawal of the previous film unit through the spreader gap as to permit the withdrawal of the first-mentioned film unit from the camera. When the processing liquid, for example, is adapted to effect a silver halide diffusion-transfer process and contains an alkali, the apertures in the leaders are filled with a plastic material such, for example, as cellulose acetate hydrogen phthalate, whose adhesive properties are impaired by the alkali present in the liquid.

In another embodiment of the camera, the two spreader members may be mounted for movement to and from an operative position wherein they are predeterminedly spaced apart to provide a gap of fixed width through which a single film unit extends and is advanced for spreading the processing liquid. The two spreader members are so constructed and mounted that they may be positioned on opposite sides of the two leaders comprising a film unit and between said leaders and the leaders of the remaining film units. When the spreader members are in this position, the leaders of the film unit to be withdrawn and processed extend through the gap between the spreader members while the leaders of the re maining film units are disposed on opposite sides of the two spreader members. This arrangement obviates the necessity for adjusting the gap between the spreader members necessitated by variation in the number of leaders extending therethrough since only the leaders of the film unit being withdrawn from the camera extend between the spreader members.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A camera for use with a plurality of film units each including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, a housing within which the first elements of a plurality of film units may be positioned in stacked relation for exposure, a passage in said housing adapted to receive a plurality of said film units with the first and second elements thereof disposed in stacked relation, means within said passage for separating the stack of said first elements from the stack of said second elements during movement of said film units through said passage into exposure position, means within said housing for positioning said stack of second elements apart from said stack of first elements during movement of said film units into said camera and during exposure of said first elements, and means mounted on said camera adjacent said passage for superposing the first and second elements of each film unit during withdrawal of said film unit through said passage and so distributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said first and second elements as to eifect the processing of the exposed photosensitive area of said first element.

2. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, exposure means associated with said housing, guide means within said housing for positioning the first element of a film unit for exposure to light transmitted by said exposure means, means within said chamber providing another chamber for positioning the second element of said film unit apart from said first element during exposure of the photosensitive area of said first element, a passage in said housing adjacent said guide means and communicating with the exterior of said housing and adapted to receive said film unit with said first and second elements thereof in superposed relation, means within said passage for separating said first and second elements during movement of said film unit through said passage into said housing, and means associated with said passage exterior of said housing for superposing the first and second elements of a film unit and so distributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said elements as to effect a predetermined processing of said photosensitive area during withdrawal of said film unit through said passage.

3. A camera for use with a plurailty of film units each including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, exposure means associated with said housing, guide means within said housing for positioning the first element of each of a plurality of film units for exposure to light transmitted by said exposure means, said guide means cooperating to provide a second chamber within said housing for positioning the first elements of a plurality of film units in stacked relation, means within said housing providing a third chamber for positioning the second elements of a plurality of said film units in stacked relation and apart from the first elements of said plurality of film units to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of each of said first elements, a passage in said housing adjacent said guide means and communicating with the exterior of said housing and adapted to receive a plurality of said film units with the first and second elements thereof disposed in stacked relation, means within said passage for guiding said stacks of said first and second elements into said second and third chambers, respectively, and means associated with said passage and located exteriorly of said housing for superposing the first and second elements of a film unit during withdrawal of said film unit through said passage and so distributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said first and second elements as to effect the processing of the exposed photosensitive area of said first element.

4. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light and a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and adapted to aid in the distri-btuion of a processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said elements so as to effect the processing of said photosensitive area, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing, lens means associated with said housing, guide means within said housing for positioning the first element of a film unit substantially at the focal surface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted thereby, means within said housing including a reflecting member disposed obliquely to the focal surface of said lens for providing an optical path between said lens and said photosensitive area of said first element positioned for exposure, said reflecting member cooperating with said housing to provide a chamber located obliquely to said focal surface for positioning the second element of said film unit apart from said first element to permit the exposure of said photosensitive area of said first element, and means for distributing said processing liquid between said elements.

5. A camera for use with a film unit including a firs element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising,

in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, lens means associated with said housing, guide means within said chamber for positioning the first element of a film unit substantially at the focal surface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted thereby, means within said chamber including a reflecting member disposed obliquely to the focal surface of said lens for provid ng an optical path between said lens and the photosensitive area of said first element positioned for exposure, said reflecting member cooperating with said housing to provide a second chamber located obliquely to said focal surface for positioning the second element of said film unit apart from said first element to permit the exposure of said photosensitive area of said first element, a passage in said housing adjacent one end of said guide means and said reflecting member and communicating with the exterior of said housing, said passage being so formed as to receive said film unit with said first and second elements thereof in superposed relation, and means associated with said passage for superposing said first and second elements and so distributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said elements as to effect a predetermined processing of said photosensitive area during withdrawal of said film unit through said passage.

6. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, lens means associated with said housing, guide means within said chamber for positioning the first element or a film unit substantially at the focal surface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted by said lens, means within said chamber including a reflecting member disposed obliquely to the focal surface of said lens for providing an optical path between said lens and the photosensitive area of said first element positioned for exposure, said reflecting member cooperating with said housing to provide a second chamber located obliquely to said focal surface for positioning the second element of said film unit apart from said first element to permit the exposure of said photosensitive area of said first element, a passage in said housing adjacent one end of said guide means and said reflecting member and commun1- eating with the exterior of said housing, said passage being so formed as to receive said film unit wlth said first and second elements thereof in superposed relation, means within said passage for separating said first and second elements during movement of said film unit therethrough and for guiding said first and second elements,

respectively, into engagement with said guide means andinto said second chamber, and means associated with said passage exterior of said housing for superposingsaid first and second elements and so distributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said elementsas to effect a predetermined processing of said photosensitive area during withdrawal of said film unit through said passa e.

7. A camera for use with a plurality of film units each of which includes a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light and a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and adapted to aid in the distribution of a processing composition between said elements so as to effect the processing of said photosensitive area, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing, lens means associated with said housing, guide means within said housing for positioning the first element of each of a plurality of film units substantially at the focal surface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted thereby, said guide means cooperating to provide a first chamber within said housing for positioning the first elements of a plurality of said first elements in stacked relation, means including at least one reflecting member disposed obliquely to the focal surface of said lens for providing an optical path between said lens and the photosensitive area of the first element of a film unit positioned for exposure, said reflecting member cooperating with said housing to provide a second chamber disposed obliquely to said first chamber for positioning a plurality of said second elements in stacked relation apart from said first elements to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of each of said first elements, a passage in said housing adjacent one end of said guide means and said reflecting member and communicating with the exterior of said housing, said passage being so formed as to be capable of receiving a plurality of said film units with the first and second elements thereof disposed in two separate stacks, and means associated with said passage for superposing the first and second elements of each of said film units and distributing said processing liquid between said elements.

8. A camera for use with a plurality of film units each including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, lens means associated with said housing, guide means within said chamber for positioning the first element of each of a plurality of said film units substantially at the focal surface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted thereby, said guide means cooperating to provide a second chamber within said housing for positioning a plurality of said first elements in stacked relation, means including at least one reflecting member disposed obliquely to the focal surface of said lens for providing an optical path between said lens and the photosensitive area of the first element of a film unit positioned for exposure, said reflecting member cooperating with said housing to provide a third chamber disposed obliquely to said second chamber for positioning a plurality of said second elements in stacked relation apart from said first elements to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of each of said first elements, a passage in said housing adjacent one end of said guide means and said reflecting member and communicating with the exterior of said housing, said passage being so formed as to be capable of receiving stacks of first and second elements, and means associated with said passage for superposing the first and second elements of'each film unit and so distributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces of, said elements as to effect a predetermined processing of said photosensitive area during withdrawal of said film unit through said passage.

9. A camera for use with a plurality of film units each of which includes a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having'an area superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, lens means associated with said housing, guide means within said chamber for positioning the first element of each of a plurality of film units substantially at the focal surface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted by said lens, said guide means cooperating to provide a second chamber within said housing for positioning a plurality of said first elements in stacked relation, means including at least one reflecting member disposed obliquely to the focal surface of said lens for providing an optical path between said lens and the photosensitive area of the first element of a fihn unit positioned for exposure, said reflecting member cooperating with said housing to provide a third chamber disposed obliquely to said second chamber for positioning a plurality of said second elements in stacked relation apart from said first elements'to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of each of said first elements, a passage in said housing adjacent one end ofsaid guide means andsaidreflect- 21 ing member and communicating with the exterior of said housing, said passage being so formed as to be capable of receiving a plurality of said film units with the first and second elements thereof disposed in two separate stacks, means within said passage for separating the stack of said first elements from the stack of said second elements during movement of said film units through said passage into said housing and for guiding said stacks into said second and third chambers, respectively, and means associated with said passage and located exteriorly of said housing for superposing the first and second elements of each film unit during withdrawal of the latter through said passage and so distributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said first and second elements as to effect the processing of the exposed photosensitive area of said first element.

10. In a camera for exposing and processing a photo graphic film unit, in combination, a housing, exposure means associated with said housing, means within said housing positioning the photosensitive area-of a first element of said film unit for exposure to light transmitted by said exposure means, means Within said housing including a reflecting member disposed obliquely to said photosensitive area for providing an optical path between said exposure means and said photosensitive area of said first element, said reflecting member cooperating with a portion of said housing to provide a chamber housing a second element of said film unit and locating said second element apart from said first element, a passage in said housing adjacent one end of said guide means and said chamber, portions of said first and second elements of said film unit extending through said passage in superposed relation, and a spreader element positioned in closing relation to said passage and having engagement portions between which said first and second elements extend and adapted to efiect the distribution of a processing liquid between said elements during movement thereof through said passage.

ll. In a photographic apparatus for exposing and processing photographic film units, in combination, a housing, a film unit including a first element having a photosensitive area positioned for exposure in said housing, means within said housing including a reflecting member disposed obliquely to said photosensitive area for photoexposing said area, said reflecting member cooperating with a portion of said housing to provide a chamber, a second element comprising said film unit and having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and positioned in said chamber apart from said first element, a passage in said housing adjacent one end of said chamber, portionsof' said first and second elements extending through said passage in superposed relation, means associated with said elements for releasably containing a processing liquid, and a spreader element positioned in closing relation to said passage and having engagement portions between which said first and second elements are advanced for effecting the release of said processing liquid between said elements, the aforementioned portions of said elements extending between said engagement portions exteriorly of said housing.

12. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area, means containing a processing liquid and a spreader element providing two sections between which said film unit is advanced for superposing the second element with said photosensitive area of said first element and so distributing the processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said elements as to efi'ect the processing of said photosensitive area, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, exposure means associated with said housing, guide means within said housing for positioning the first element of a film unit for exposure to light transmitted by said exposure means,

means within said chamber providing another chamber for positioning the second element of said film unit apart from said first element during exposure of the photosensitive area of said first element, a passage in said housing adjacent said guide means and communicating with the exterior of said housing and adapted to receive said film unit with said first and second elements thereof in superposed relation, means within said passage for separating said first and second elements during movement of said film unit through said passage into said housing, and means mounted on said housing for releasably retaining and supporting said spreader element exteriorly of said housing adjacent said passage during withdrawal of said film unit from said camera between said sections.

13. A photographic apparatus for use with a plurality of film units each including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, exposure means asso ciated with said housing, guide means within said housing for positioning the first element of each of a plurality of film units for exposure to light transmitted by said exposure means, said guide means cooperating to provide a second chamber within said housing for positioning the first elements of a plurality of film units in stacked relation, means within said housing providing a third chamher for positioning the second elements of a plurality of said film units in stacked relation and apart from the first elements of said plurality of said film units to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of each of said first elements, a passage in said housing adjacent said guide means and communicating with the exterior of said housing and adapted to receive a plurality of said film units with the first and second elements thereof disposed in stacked relation, means within said passage for separating the stack of said first elements from the stack of said second elements during movement of said film units through said passage into said housing and for guiding said stacks into said second and third chambers, respectively, and means associated with said passage and located exteriorly of said housing for superposing the first and second elements of a film unit during withdrawal of said film unit through said passage and so distributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said first and second elements as to effect the processing of the exposed photosensitive area of said first element, the lastmentioned means comprising a pair of members mounted opposite said passage and so spaced apart as to provide a gap of predetermined width through which said film unit is withdrawn from said apparatus.

14. In the apparatus of claim 13 wherein one of said pair of members is mounted for movement toward and away from the other member, manually operable means associated with said members for varying the spacin therebetween so as to adjust the width of said gap'in accordance with the number and thickness of said film units extending through said gap between said members.

15. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area, means containing a processing liquid and a substantially rigid spreader plate having formed therein a slot of predetermined width through which the first and second elements of said film unit project and through which said film unit is advanced for superposing said second element with said photosensitive area and so spreading said processing liquid between said first and second elements as to effect the processing of said photosensitive area, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, lens means associated with said housing, guide means within said chamber for positioning the first element of a film unit substantially at the focal surface of" said lens for exposure to light transmitted by said lens, means within said housing providing another chamber for positioning the second element of said film unit apart from said first element to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of said first element, a passage in said housing adjacent one end of said guide means and said other chamber and communicating with the exterior of said housing, said passage being so formed as to receive a film unit, means within said passage for guiding said first and second elements, respectively, into engagement with said guide means and into said other chamher, and a pair of clamping members mounted on said housing adjacent opposite sides of said passage, said mounting members being so constructed as to releasably retain and support said spreader plate in closing relation to said passage with the slot in said plate aligned with the opening in said passage.

16. In a camera for use with a film unit including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, and including a passage through which said film unit may be inserted and removed from said camera and through which portions of said film unit project when the photosensitive area of said film unit is in exposure position, in combustion, means associated with said passage for superposing the first and second elements of said film unit and distributing said processing liquid in a layer of substantially uniform pre determined thickness between said elements during withdrawal of said film unit from said camera following exposure therein, the last-mentioned means comprising a pair of spreader elements mounted adjacent said passage on opposite sides thereof, said spreader elements having substantially parallel straight sections between which said film unit is advanced, and resilient means for so urging said spreader elements toward one another as to cause said parallel straight sections to engage said film unit and efiect the distribution of said processing liquid between said first and second elements during movement of said film unit between said sections from said camera, one of said spreader elements having shoulders at the ends of said straight sections so formed as to cooperate with portions of said film unit for substantially automatically spacing said parallel straight sections a predetermined distance apart in operative position during withdrawal of said film unit through said passage.

17. In the camera of claim 16, in combination, manually operable means for spacing said spreader elements apart from their operative position to permit the insertion of a film unit into said passage and movement of said film unit through said passage into exposure position.

18. In a camera for use with a film unit including a first element having a photosentitive area adapted to be exposed in the camera, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area, means containing a processing liquid and a substantially rigid spreader plate having formed therein a slot of predetermined width through which the first and second elements of said film unit project and said film unit is advanced for superposing said second element with said first element and so spreading said processing liquid between said first and second elements as to efiect the processing of said photosensitive area, and including a housing and a passage in said housing adapted to receive a film unit with the first and second elements thereof in superposed relation and through which portions of said film unit including the liquid-containing means of said unit project exteriorly of said housing when said first element is in exposure position Within said housing, in combination, a pair of clamping members mounted on said housing adjacent opposite sides of said passage, and resilient means for urging said clamping members into position to releasably retain and support the spreader plate of a film unit with the slot in said spreader plate located substantially in alignment with said passage, said clamping members being so constructed as to cooperate with said spreader plate to provide a chamber exterior of said passage within which a portion of a film unit extending through said passage is positioned during exposure and the first and second elements of said film unit are superposed during withdrawal from the camera.

19. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed in said camera, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, lens means associated with said housing, a guide wall within said chamber for positioning the first element of a film unit at the focal surface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted by said lens, a first wall disposed in generally parallel relation to said guide wall and defining in conjunction therewith a second chamber in which said first element is positioned during exposure, means within the first-mentioned chamber including a substantially fiat reflecting member so positioned obliquely to the focal surface of said lens as to provide an optical path between said lens and the photosensitive area of said first element positioned for exposure, said housing including a second wall disposed in generally parallel relation to said reflecting member and defining in conjunction therewith a third chamber disposed obliquely to said focal surface for positioning said second element apart from said first element to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of said first element, a passage in said housing located at the juncture of said first and second walls and communicating with said second and third chambers, said passage being so formed as to be capable of receiving said film unit with said first and second elements thereof in superposed relation, means within said passage for guiding said first and second elements into said second and third chambers, respectively, and means associated with said passage exterior of said housing for superposing said first and second elements and so distributing a processing liquid carried thereby between the outer surfaces of said elements as to efiect a predetermined processing of said photosensitive area during withdrawal of said film unit from said camera through said passage.

20. A camera for use with a plurality of film units each including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a ligh'ttight chamber, exposure means associated with said housing, guide means within said housing for positioning the first element of each of a plurality of film units for exposure to light transmitted by said exposure means, said guide means cooperating to provide a second chamber within said housing for positioning the first elements of a plurality of film units in stacked relation, means within said housing providing a third chamber for positioning the second elements of a plurality of said film units in stacked relation and apart from the first elements of said plurality of said film units to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of each of said first elements, a passage in said housing adjacent said guide means and communicating with the exterior of said housing and adapted to receive a plurality of said film units with the first and second elements thereof disposed in stacked relation, means within said passage for guiding the stack of said first elements and the stack of said second elements into said second and third chambers, respectively, means associated with said passage and located exteriorly of said housing for superposing the first and second elements of a film unit during withdrawal of said film unit through said passage and so distributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said first and second elements as toefiect the processing of the exposed photosensitive area of said first element, and means cooperating with the elements of said film units for permitting the withdrawal of a single selected film unit at a time from the camera while retaining the remaining film units within said camera in exposure position.

21. In the camera of claim 20 wherein said means for superposing the first and second elements of a film unit and distributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said first and second elements comprise a pair of opposed members between which said leaders extend and said film units are moved, manually operable means associated with said opposed members for predeterminedly varying the spacing between said members in accordance with the number and thickness of the film units extending therebetween.

22. A camera for use with a film uni-t including a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be ex posed in said camera, a second element having an area .superposable with said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, lens means associated with said housing, a guide wall within said chamber for positioning the first element of a film unit at the focal surface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted by said lens, a first outer wall disposed in generally parallel relation to said guide wall and defining therebetween a second chamber in which said first element is positioned for exposure, means within the first-mentioned chamber including a substantially flat reflecting member so positioned obliquely to the focal surface of said lens as to provide an optical path between said lens and the photosensitive area of said first element positioned for exposure, the edge portion of said reflecting member being mounted in an end portion of said guide wall, said housing including a second outer wall disposed in generally parallel relation to said reflecting member and defining therebetween a third chamber disposed obliquely to said second chamber for positioning said second element apart from said first element to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of said first element, a passage in said housing located at the juncture of said first and second walls and communicating with said second and third chambers, said passage being so formed as to be capable of receiving said film unit with said first and second elements thereof in superposed relation, said end portion of said guide wall being formed in the shape of a wedge extending into said passage for separating said first and second elements during movement of said film unit through said passage, said end portion being so formed as to guide said first and second elements into said second and third chambers, respectively, and means associated with said passage exterior of said housing for superposing the first and second elements of a film unit during withdrawal of said unit from the camera through said passage and so distributing a processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said elements as to effect a predetermined of the exposed photosensitive area.

23. In a camera for use with a plurality of film units each comprising a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed within the camera and a second element having an area superposable with said photosensitive area, in combination, means providing a first chamber for positioning the first elements of a plurality of film units in stacked relation within the camera so that the photosensitive areas of said first elements may be successively exposed, means providing a second chamber for positioning the second elements of said film units in stacked relation apart from said first elements during exposure of the latter, a passage in said camera communicating with said first and second chambers, means for superposing the exposed first element of a film unit with the second element of said film unit during withdrawal of said unit from the camera through said passage, means for releasably engaging and retaining the first and second processing elements of the remaining film units within the camera during withdrawal of said exposed film unit from said camera, the last-mentioned means comprising at least one engagement member positioned at the end of each of said first and second chambers opposite said passage for engaging portions of the elements or" the film unitspositioned within said chambers, and means mounting. said engagement members for movement into engagement with portions of selected elements.

24, In a camera including a housing and lens means associated with said housing, in combination, guide means for positioning the photosensitive element of a film unit for exposure substantially at the focal surface of said lens means, means including a reflecting member located obliquely to the focal surface of said lens for providing an optical path between said lens and said photosensitive element, means for positioning another element of said lm unit superposable with said photosensitive element behind said' reflecting member during exposure ofsaid photosensitive element, said elements being so positioned as to be capable of being superposed during withdrawal of said film unit from said camera, and means for superposing said elements during withdrawal from said camera following exposure and distributing a processing liquid carried by said film unit between said elements.

25. A photographic product comprising a plurality of film units each including a first element having a photosensitive area and an engageable portion, a second element having an area at least coextensive with said photosensitive area and superposable therewith and an engageable portion and means releasably containing a processing liquid for distribution between said elements, the portions of said first elements comprising said photosensitive areas being disposed in one stack and the portions of said second elements comprising said areas superposable with said photosensitive areas being disposed in another stack,

said engageable portions of said units extending from said stacks so as to be separately engageable for withdrawing selected elements from said stacks, said stacks being disposed in superposed relation, and an envelope secured in surrounding relation to at least a portion of said stacks for holding the latter in superposed relation to prevent the exposure of said photosensitive areas and permitting the positioning apart of said stacks for exposure in a photographic apparatus, said elements of said film units being secured to one another and to said envelope by an adhesive material which is rendered nonadhesive by contact with said processing liquid, said stacks being so arranged with respect to one another that the first and second elements of each film unit can be superposed and withdrawn from said apparatus between the engageable portions of the remaining film units, said adhesive material being so located that the processing liquid can contact only the adhesive material securing the innermost element in each of said stacks.

26. In a photographic apparatus for use with a plurality of film units each comprising a first element including a leader and a photosensitive portion adapted to be exposed within the camera and a second element including a leader and a portion superposable with said photosensitive portion, in combination, a housing including a passage through which said film units may be introduced into and withdrawn from said apparatus, pressureapplying means associated with said passage means for positioning the first elements of a plurality of film units in stacked relation within said housing with said photosensitive portions in position to be sequentially exposed and said leaders extending in superposition "through said passage and said pressure-applying means, and means for positioning said second elements of said film units in stacked relation apart from said first elements with said leaders of said second elements extending in superposition through said passage and said pressure-applying means, the first and second elements of each film unit be ing movable, following exposure of said film unit, in

2? superposed relation from said housing between said leaders of the remaining film units, said pressure-applying means comprising a pair of members associated with said passage for engaging said leaders and applying compressive pressure through said leaders to the first and second elements of an exposed film unit for spreading a liquid between said elements during withdrawal of said exposed film unit from said housing between the leaders comprising successive film units.

27. In the apparatus of claim 26 wherein said means for applying compressive pressure through said leaders to the first and second elements of an exposed film unit comprise a pair of opposed members between which said leaders extend and said film units are moved, manually operable means associated with said opposed members for predeterminedly varying the spacing between said members in accordance with the number and thickness of leaders extending therebetween.

28. A photographic product comprising a plurality of film units each including a first element having a photosensitive area and an engageable portion, a second element having an area at least coextensive with said photosensitive area and superposable therewith and an engageable portion substantially equal in length to said engageable portion of said first element, and means releasably containing a processing liquid for distribution between said elements, the portions of said first elements comprising said photosensitive areas being disposed in one stack and the portions of said second elements comprising said areas superposable with said photosensitive areas being disposed in another stack, the photosensitice and second elements of a first film unit being disposed adjacent one another with the elements of successive film units being disposed outwardly therefrom, said engageable portions of said film units extending from said stacks in superposition so as to be separately engageable for withdrawing selected elements from said stacks, said engageable portions of said first film unit being longer than engageable portions of the successive film units, said engageable portions of each of said successive film units being substantially shorter than those of the preceding film unit, said stacks being, so arranged with respect to one another that the first and second elements of said first film unit and of each successive film unit can be superposed and withdrawn between the engageable portions of the remaining film units.

29. A photographic product comprising a plurality of film units each including a first element having a photosensitive area and an engageable portion, a second element having an area at least coextensive with said photosensitive area and superposable therewith and an engageable portion substantially equal in length to said engageable portion of said first element and means releasably containing a processing liquid for distribution between said elements, the portions of said first elements comprising said photosensitive areas being disposed in one stack and the portions of said second elements comprising said areas superposable with said photosensitive areas being disposed in a second stack, said engageable portions of said film units extending in superposition from said stacks, and said engageable portions of a first film unit being longer and extending further than the engageable portions of the other film units, the engageable portions of each successive film unit being shorter than those of the preceding film unit whereby the engageable portions of said first and each successive film unit may be grasped for Withdrawing said film units, one at a time, from said stacks between the engageable portions of successive film units, and means for holding said stacks in superposed relation so as to prevent exposure of said photosensitive areas and permit the positioning apart of said stacks for exposure in a camera, said stacks being arranged with the first and second elements of said first film unit in superposed relation and the first and second elements of successive film units arranged outwardly therefrom so that the first and second elements of each successive film unit can be superposed and withdrawn between the engageable portions of the remaining film units.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 660,442 Ives Oct. 23, 1900 2,435,720 Land Feb. 10, 1948 2,724,310 Paine Nov. 22, 1955