US3250202A

US3250202A - Photographic apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3250202A
Application number: US305177A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gold Nicholas; Charles R Mossman; Arthur J Sable
Original assignee: Polaroid Corp
Current assignee: Polaroid Corp
Priority date: 1963-08-28
Filing date: 1963-08-28
Publication date: 1966-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 1983-05-10

Description

May 10, 1966 N. GOLD ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 28, 1963 WI? 74W M 2 M I IN ENTORS ATTORNEYS May 10, 1966 N. GOLD ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1963 My. M

INVENTORS ATTORNEYS y 1966 N. GOLD ETAL 2 3,250,202

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 E y kw w 2 v I w W 6 M I 8 ATTORNEYS y 1966 N. GOLD ETAL 3,250,202

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1963 5 Sheets-$heet 4- w i x W my M ATTORNEYS May 10, 1966 N. GOLD ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 28, 1963 LINE BYMMM A'TTORNEYS United States Patent D 3,250,202 PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Nicholas Gold, Arlington, Mass., Charles R. Mossrnan,

Chester, N.H., and Arthur J. Sable, San Jose, Calif.,

assignors to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass,

a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 305,177 21 Claims. (CI. 95-89) This invention relatesv to photographic apparatus for exposing and processing a photosensitive image-recording sheet to produce a succession of photographic prints.

An object of the invention is to provide photo-graphic apparatus which utilizes the Land photographic process for automatically producing a succession of finished positive photographic transfer prints and especially designed for incorporation of a coin-operated machine for making and vending photographs.

Another object of the invention is to provide photographic apparatus of the type described which utilizes rolls of a photosensitive image-recording sheet, a printreceiving sheet and connected, ruptur-able containers of processing liquid, and includes means for superposing successive exposed frames of the image-recording sheet with areas of the print-receiving sheet, distributing the processing liquid from one of said containers between each exposed frame and superposed area, separating each superposed frame and area at the end of a predetermined processing period and delivering the individual finished photographic prints formed on the areas of the print-receiving sheet.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved photographic apparatus of the character described which automatically makes an exposure and then performs the requisite processing operations to produce a high-quality finished photographic print rapidly and dependably.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious 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 perspective view of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary, perspective views, partially in section, of components of the apparatus shown in different operative positions thereof;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the controls and driving mechanism of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View, partially in section, of connected, fluid filled, rupturable containers of the type employed in the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a coil of the connected containers.

The so-called Land photographic process for which the invention is designed involves the photoexposure of a frame of a photosensitive sheet including as the photosensitive material thereof, -for example, a silver halide emulsion; and there-after, superpositioning the exposed frame of the photosensitive sheet with an area of a second or print-receiving sheet and distributing a processing liquid between the superposed frame and area to effectuate, for example, a diffusion-transfer reversal process by which a positive transfer print is formed in an image- 3,250,202 Patented May 10, 1966 receptive layer supported on the print-receiving sheet. The superposed frame and area between which the proc essing liquid is distributed are maintained in superposition for a processing period of predetermined duration during which the transfer print is formed and at the end of which the frame and area are separated.

The apparatus of the invention utilizes elongated strips of a photosensitive sheet, a second or print-receiving sheet and a plurality of connected, rupturable containers each holding sufficient processing liquid for producing a photographic print, and automatically utilizes these materials and performs the necessary operations to make a succession of exposures and produce a succession of individual, finished photographic prints. The photosensitive and print-receiving sheets are in the form of elongated strips of approximately equal width and supplied in coiled form and the rupturable containers of processing liquid are connected to one another at their ends and also supplied in a coiled form. The apparatus exposes an area of the photosensitive strip and advances the exposed area into superposition with an area of the print-receiving sheet between a pair of pressure-applying members for distributing the processing liquid from one of the containers between the superposed sheets. Prior to movement of an exposed area of the imagerecording sheet into superposition with an area of the print-receiving sheet, a container of processing liquid is severed from the remainder of the containers and located between the sheets for movement with the sheets between the pressure-applying members. The processing liquid distributed between the sheets functions to laminate the sheets together to form a sandwich which is kept intact for a predetermined processing period during the formation of a transfer image in a layer on the print-receiving sheet. At the end of this period and without moving either of the sheets between the pressureapplying members, the exposed and processed area of the imagerecording sheet is separated from the area'of the print-receiving sheet containing the transfer print. The apparatus includes means for separating the area of the receiving sheet containing the print from the remainder of the receiving sheet so that the print may be delivered from the apparatus. While the obvious and intended use of the apparatus is as a component of an automatic vending machine of the type which vends photographic prints when actuated by the introduction of a coin, the apparatus constitutes a complete selfdeveloping camera and can .be employed as such to automatically produce photographic prints.

The apparatus of the invention is illustrated in FIG- URE 1 of the drawings as comprising a support member 10 on which are mounted substantially all of the components of the apparatus and a housing 12, shown in broken lines, for enclosing the components of the apparatus which manipulate and process the sheet materials to perform processes which are required to be carried out in the absence of light. The apparatus includes a conventional lens assembly 14 also shown in broken lines and may include a shutter, or the latter may comprise a component of apparatus such as a vending machine, camera or an image-forming system of which the apparatus of the invention is a part. A photographic print vending machine of the type for which the apparatus is designed would also include lights, the operationiof which are-synchronized with the operation of the picture-takin and processing mechanism.

A supply of photosensitive image-recording sheet 16 is provided coiled on a conventional supply spool 18 mounted for rotation on the upper portion of support member 10. The image-recording sheet may comprise a suitable support such as paper and a layer of a photosensitive material such as a gelatino silver halide emulsion and is coiled with the photosensitive layer innermost, that is, facing to the left viewing FIGURE 1. The apparatus includes means for locating successive areas of the photosensitive sheet in position for exposure to light from lens 14, and in the form shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, these means comprise a frame 20 having a generally rectangular exposure aperture 22 therein and a rear surface disposed substantially at the focal surface of lens 14 where the image-recording sheet is retained in position for exposure by a spring-biased pressure plate 24. Frame 20 is mounted on a support bracket 26 in turn mounted on support member including a pair of lateral members 28 connected by a transverse member 30 extending across and behind aperture 22 and mounting pressure plate 24. A guide roll 32 is mounted on the upper portion of frame 20 for guiding photosensitive sheet 16 from spool 18 between frame 20 and pressure plate 24. With the apparatus in the position shown in FIGURE 1, that is, as

it would be employed as a part of a vending machine, the

image-recording sheet is disposed in a generally vertical plane at the focal surface of lens 14, the axis of the latter being disposed in a generally horizontal position.

A second or print-receiving sheet 34 is provided coiled on a conventional spool 36 mounted for rotation on a lower portion of support member 10 below frame 20. Print-receiving sheet 34 comprises a support formed, for example, of paper for an image-receptive layer in which a transfer image comprising a photographic print is formed. The print-receiving sheet is fed upwardly from spool 36 into superposition with image-recording sheet 16 at the bite of a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying

rolls

38 and 40, a guide roll 41 being provided on'support bracket 26 for guiding sheet 34 between

rolls

38 and 40. Roll 38 includes stub shafts 42 at its ends journaled in bushings secured in support bracket 26. Roll 40 is mounted with its axis substantially in the plane of the axis of roll 38 for movement toward and away from roll 38. The means for mounting roll 40 include a pair of mounting members 44 slidably engaged in recesses 46 in lateral members 28. Roll 40 includes stub shafts 48 on its ends journaled in mounting members 44 and the latter are biased by springs 50 downwardly toward roll 38 to urge roll 40 into juxtaposition with roll 38. The rolls include generally cylindrical sheet engagement surfaces defining a convergent passage into which the sheets are advanced along convergent paths and through which the sheets are moved in superposition to distribute a processing liquid between the sheets.

The processing liquid for each exposed frame of the image-recording sheet is supplied in a rupturable container 32 of the type shown in FIG. 6. Each of containers 52 is formed by folding a rectangular blank of an oxygenand water-impervious sheet material upon itself and sealmg the end and lateral edges of the blank together to form a cavity 54 containing the processing liquid. The longitudinal edge seal, designated 56, of the container is weaker than the end seals and is adapted to be unsealed to provide for unidirectional release of the processing liquid in response to the generation of hydraulic pressure within the liquid resulting from the application of compressive pressure to the container. To process an exposed frame of the photosensitive sheet in conjunction with an area of the second sheet, the container is introduced between the sheets at the bite of the pressure-applying rolls with edge seal 56 facing away from the direction of movement of the sheets and located adjacent the leading edges of the frame and area to be processed. The sheets and the container are then advanced together between the pressure-applying rolls which function to eject the fluid'contents of the container therefrom between the sheets and distribute the liquid in the direction of the trailing edges of the frame and area in contact therewith. The containers employed in the apparatus of the invention are supplied in a connected form as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The containers are arranged in generally parallel spaced relation and pairs of narrow tapes 58 are provided for securing the containers to one another to form a structure resembling a ladder. The tapes of each pair are secured to the opposite surfaces of an end section of each container and to one another intermediate the containers, and the two pairs of tapes are disposed in substantially parallel relation. The aggregate thickness of the tapes of each pair is at least equal to and preferably exceeds the thickness of the fluid-filled cavity of each container. This construction allows the connected containers to vbe coiled about a mandrel 60 as shown in FIG. without contacting or applying compressive pressure to one another which might otherwise cause rupture of the containers and leakage of the fluid contents.

A plurality of connected containers 52 are provided coiled on a conventional spool 62 mounted for rotation on support member 10 adjacent spool 36 and below the level of the pressure-applying rolls. The connected containers are guided from spool 62 around a guide member 64 and thence upwardly between a pair of channels 66 extending from below plate 20 adjacent the pressureapplying rolls downwardly at an angle toward guide member 64. A guide block 68 having a convergent slot 70 is provided mounted at its ends on support bracket 26 closely

adjacent rolls

38 and 40 with slot 70 aligned with the convergent passage between the rolls. Slot 70 is dimensioned to receive a container 52 and the pairs ofconnecting tapes 58 for positioning the container between convergent portions of

sheets

16 and 34 at the bite of

rolls

38 and 40.

The connected containers are fed one at a time from spool 62 and guided into slot 70 by channels 66 until each container is disposed with its leading edge located at the bite of

rolls

38 and 40. The container thus positioned within slot 70 at the bite of the rolls is then severed from the remaining containers and, for this purpose, a knife 72 is provided mounted on the upper portion of block 68 above slot 70. The knife includes slots (not shown) and is secured for limited up and down movement to block 68 by screws 74 extending through the slots and engaged in block 68. Knife 72 includes a sharpened edge which acts against an anvil block 76 secured to the lower portion of block 68 below slot 70. Springs 77 are provided between blocks 68 and 76 adjacent the ends of knife 72 for urging the knife upward out of the path of containers moving through slot 70. A container located within slot 70 is severed from the remaining containers by displacing knife 72 downwardly to cut the pairs of connecting tapes 58 intermediate two containers.

When the apparatus is loaded and operative, sheet 16 extends downwardly between block 68 and roll 40 while sheet 34 extends upwardly between block 68 and roll 38; and to facilitate loading and threading of the sheets through and into the apparatus between

rolls

38 and 40, blocks 68 and 76 are mounted adjacent their ends on support bracket 26 for pivotal movement in a counterclockwise direction (viewing FIGS. 1 through 4) away from

rolls

38 and 40. The means shown for pivotally mounting blocks 68 and 76 and knife 72 include a pair of arms 78 secured to the blocks and pivoted on the opposite sides of frame 20. The blocks are releasably retained in the operative position shown by latch members 86 mounted on lateral members 28 of support bracket 26.

Rolls

38 and 40 are provided with grooves 84 adjacent their ends for allowing tapes 58 at the ends of the containers to pass between the rolls without causing separation of the rolls. Pairs of tapes 58 and grooves 84 are spaced from one another by a distance exceeding the width of the sheets so that neither the tapes nor the grooves interfere with the ejection and distribution of the fluid contents of the containers.

The apparatus includes means for drawing

sheets

16 and 34 in superposition between the pressure-applying members, feeding a container into the bite. of the rolls between the sheets prior to movement of the sheets between the pressure-applying rolls, maintaining the superposed sheets in superposition for a predetermined processing period and at the end ofthis period separating the processed sheets. These means, in the form shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, include a carriage 80 including two elongated side members 82 disposed substantially parallel with one another and mounted for lengthwise reciprocatingmovement on guides formed in support bracket 26 and in support members 88 formed integrallyrwith support bracket 26. Side members 82 extend beyond opposite sides of plate 20 and lateral members 28 and are movable between the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and .3 and position shown in FIG. 4. As means for moving carriage 80 back and forth between the two positions shown, there are provided a pair of racks 90, each mounted on one of side members 82 and a pair of spur gears 92 mounted on a shaft 94 journaled in'a. pair of support members 96 mounted on side members 88. Shaft 94 extends transversely of the direction of movement of carriage 80 and is coupled through a transmission (described hereinafter) to drive means for rotating the shaft in both directions for reciprocating the carriage.

Carriage 80 is movable between a position, termed the initial position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and a termina position shown in FIG. 4; and includes means for gripping the superpositioned sheets

adjacent rolls

38 and 40 in the initial position of the carriage and drawing the sheets between the rolls during movement to the termineral position of the carriage. .The means for gripping the sheets comprise a roll 98 mounted for rotation on the ends of a pair of arms 100 pivotally mounted inter-' mediate their ends on side members 82. Roll 98 is disposed above the path of movement of the sheets between

rolls

38 and 40 and is movable downwardly and upwardly into and from juxtapositioned with another gripping member designated 102 and comprising a plate 104 mounted at its ends on side members 82 in juxtaposition with roll 98 having an elongated slot aligned with the roll. A pair of elongated shafts 106 are mounted at their ends on side members 82 below the slot in plate 104 and function to retain a sheet 108 of elastomeric material, such as rubber, stretched across the plate and slot therein between the plate and roll 98. Sheet 108 has a high coefficient of friction and the construction of gripping member 102 is such that when roll 98 is displaced downwardly toward the gripping member in the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, photosensitive and print-receiving

sheets

16 and 34 are deformed together with sheet 108 into the slot in plate 104 securely gripping the sheets. 7

Means are provided on the carriage for urging roll 98 toward gripping member 102 and in the form shown these means comprise a solenoid 110 of a conventional type mounted on a bracket 111 mounted on side members 82 adjacent the ends thereon furthest from rolls 98. The end sections of arms 100 furthest from rolls 98 are bent inwardly and connected to the'armature of the solenoid. Processing of an exposed frame of the image-recording sheet and a superpositioned area of the print-receiving sheet is accomplished during movement of the carriage from its initial to its terminal position while the two sheets are gripped between roll 98 and gripping member 102. During this movement, the frame and area of the sheets and a container 52 of processing liquid disposed between thesheets adjacent the leading edges of a frame and area are drawn between

rolls

38 and 40 to distribute the processing liquid between and in contact with the frame and area. The sheets are laminated together by the processing liquid to form a sandwich which is advanced to the position shown in FIG. 4. The printreceiving sheet 34'is guided from the sandwich around a support roller 112 pivotally mounted adjacent its ends on side member '88 adjacent gripping member 102 in the terminal position of the carriage, and then to a take-up spool 114 pivotally mounted beneath support roller 112. Spool 114 is driven through a slip clutch to maintain tension on sheet 34 and support section of the sheet substantially in a plane between support roller 112 and pressure-applying rolls 38 and during subsequent operations on the sandwich and sheet 34.

Image-recording sheet 16 is guided around roll 98 back upon itself to guide means 116 comprising a shaft 118 mounted at its ends on supports 120 secured 'to lateral members 28 adjacent pressure-applying roll 40. A pair of discs 122 are mounted on shaft 118 for engaging the lateral margins of sheet 16 where there is little or no accumulation of processing liquid. Sheet 16 extends upwardly from guide means 116 around a guide roll 124 mounted above frame 20 on a support 126 and hence to a take-up spool 128.

The processing liquid is distributed between a superpositioned frame and area of the two sheets to initiate the processing which is terminated at the end of a predetermined period by separation of the superposed frame and area. The processing liquid may be distributed in a thin layer between the sheets extending to the lateral borders of the picture area and this layer of liquid may be caused to adhere to either of the sheets when the sheets are separated. In the embodiment shown, the layer of liquid, which may be quite viscous, is adhered to the processed image-recording sheet; hence, the construction of guide means 116 prevents the apparatus from becoming fouled with the liquid. In order to separate a processed frame and area at the end of a predetermined processing period, the carriage is moved from its terminal to its initial position while tension is maintained on printreceiving sheet 34 to hold it in a stationary position and take-up spool 128 is rotated to cause image-recording sheet 16 to be peeled from sheet 34 around roll 98 as the roll moves toward pressure-applying roll 40 and guide means 116. During the stripping operation the printreceiving sheet remains stationary, the image-recording sheet remains stationary with respect to the pressureapplying roll and sections of sheet 16 are stripped from sheet 34 and coiled on spool 128. During stripping of sheet 16, sheet 34 tends to be withdrawn from take-up spool 114 which, for this reason, is coupled with the power drive through a one-way clutch preventing rotation of spool 114, while the friction of the various rolls and supply spools contributes to preventing advancement of additional lengths of the sheets between the pressureapplying rolls.

The processing liquid provided in each container for the treatment of a superposed frame and area may be in excess of that required and for this or other reasons, some processing liquid may remain between the sheets at the bite of the rolls at the trailing edges of the frame and area, and means are providedfor collecting and retaining this quantity of processing liquid so that it is not distributed between the sheets into contact with the next succeeding frame and area. The processing liquid is collected and retained between portions of the sheets intermediate successive frames and areas by spacing roll 40 apart from roll 38 during the terminal portion of movement of the sheets between the rolls. The means for performing this function comprise a pair of levers 130 pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on side members 88 and each engaged at one end with a stub shaft 48 on an end of roll 40. The opposite end section of each of levers 130 includes a raised cam section 132 disposed in the path of movement of a cam 134 pivotally mounted on side member 82. Cams 134 are restrained against pivotal movement in a clockwise direction (viewing FIGS. 2 and 3) by stop pins 136 so that the cams engage cam sections 132 pivoting levers 130 (as shown by broken lines in FIG. 2), during the terminal portion of movement of the carriage from its initial to its terminal without pivoting levers 130 during the initial portion of return movement of the carriage from its terminal to its initial position. Thus, during return movement of the carriage and separation of the sheets, the pressure-applying rolls remain in engagement with the sheets and help to prevent movement of the sheets with respect to the pressure-applying rolls.- Cams 134 may be biased in a clockwise direction against stop pins 136 by relatively weak springs 138 in order to insure proper operation of the device.

As previously noted, a container of processing liquid is located within slot 70 in guide block 68 at the bite of the pressure-applying rolls at the start of a processing cycle. This container of processing liquid is moved into this position during the terminal portion of movement of the carriage to its terminal position during the previous processing cycle by a pair of fingers 140 pivotally mounted on a transverse member 142 mounted on side members 82 adjacent the ends thereof. The fingers hang downwardly into position to engage a container 52 supported between channel 66 and move the container into slot 70 in guide block 68 during the terminal position. During the return movement of the carriage, fingers 140 are readily pivoted so as not to move the connected containres which movement is prevented by a retaining member 144 supported between the ends of channels 66 and including an upstanding portion which engages the container to prevent return movement thereof.

The container disposed within slot 70 is severed from the remaining containers by knife 72 during the terminal portion of movement of the carriage from its terminal to its initial position. The means for actuating the knife, i.e., forcing it downward, comprises a pair of cams 146 mounted on the lower sides of side members 82 for engaging the upper portion of the knife and forcing it downwardly as the cams are moved over the knife. The container engaged in slot 70 is positioned, when the connecting members are severed, that the major portion of the connecting members remain on the next succeeding container and are engaged between the pressure-applying rolls so as to advance the container between the rolls and sheets. Cams 146 are fixed so that they also actuate the knife during the initial portionof movement of the carriage from its initial to its terminal position; however, the knife when actuated at this time is not effective to do anything inasmuch as the container previously severed is, at this point, starting to move between the rolls and the next succeeding container has not yet been engaged by fingers 140 and moved thereby into slot 70 in guide block 68.

The actual picture area, that is, the area of the print formed in print-receiving sheet 34 may correspond to aperture 22 in frame and in any event has a width less than the width of sheet 34. Following separation of a processed frame of sheet 16 from an area of sheet 34 containing a transfer print, the area containing the transfer print is punched from sheet 34 so that it may 'be delivered from the apparatus. Means are provided for performing this operation and in the form shown comprises a punch 148 and die 150 disposed, respectively, above and below the path of movement of the portion of the sandwich and particularly sheet 34 supported between rolls 38 and and roll 112. The punch and die are spaced apart sufficiently to permit movement of roll 98 and gripping member 102 between them and means are provided for moving the punch and die toward one another to punch out a section of sheet 34 containing a print which is then allowed to 'fall under the force of gravity through die 150 into suitable means such as de livery chute (not shown) for delivering the print from the apparatus. It is contemplated that the apparatus of the invention will be embodied in apparatus including a print delivering system which may also include means for performing additional processing operations such as washing, coating and/ or laminating on the print before it is delivered from the apparatus; however, because such 8 additional mechanism does not comprise the present invention it is not shown herein.

When a section of sheet 34 containing a print is punched out, marginal sections of the sheet are allowed to remain to provide means for advancing succeeding sections of sheet 34 through the apparatus. Each collapsed container of processing liquid is carried by sheet 34 at least to support roller 112 where the container may drop off into a hopper (not shown) provided for this purpose or the container may be adhered to sheet 34 by the processing liquid and be coiled together with the sheet on spool 14.

The drive and control system of the apparatus is shown schematically in FIG. 5 of the drawing and comprises two motors, a cam timer motor 152 designed to make a single revolution at a time and a reversible drive motor 154. An exposure and processing cycle is initiated by the momentary closing of a normally open starting switch 156' coupled in series across the power source, e.g., 110 volt A.C., with a relay 158 energizing the relay which closes a normally open switch 160 coupled'in series with cam timer motor 152 thereby starting the cam timer motor. The cam timer motor includes, in its controls, a switch bypassing switch 160 to maintain motor 152 operative for a single revolution. Motor 152 drives three cams which control the operation of three normally

open switches

162, 164, and 166. Switch 162 controls the operation of a shutter and/or lights designated 168 for making an exposure immediately after commencement of the operation of the cam timer motor. Drive motor 7 154 is connected to the power source through switch 164,

the normally closed contacts of a double pole, single throw switch 170 and the normally closed contacts of a double pole, double throw, solenoid operated switch 172. Switch 164 is closed only momentarily, that is, long enough for the carriage to move sufficiently to allow for the closing of switch 171 mounted on support member 10 and held open by engagement with one of side member 82 of carriage at the initial position of the carriage. When switch 171 closes, switch 164 is bypassed to maintain motor 164 in operation until the carriage is in its terminal position. The closing of switches 164 and 171 is also effective to energize solenoid through normally closed contacts in switch 172, thereby clamping the sandwich during movement of the carriage. Take-up

spools

114 and 128 are driven by motor 154 through a transmission including one-way clutches so that during movement of the carriage from its initial to its terminal position, spool 114 rotates to maintain tension on sheet 34 as it is advanced and spool 128 remains stationary.

Switch is mounted on support member 10 adjacent switch 171 and includes contacts which are held closed and contacts which are held opened by engagement with side member 82 of the carriage except when the carriage is in its terminal position whereupon the closed contacts open and the open contacts close stopping motor 154 when the carriage is in its terminal position. The cir cuit includes a latching relay 174 connected in series with the normally opened contact of switch 170 and adapted to be energized when motor 154 has stopped, closing a normally open switch 176 connected in parallel with the normally open contacts of switch 170 and closing another normally open switch 178 connected in series with a relay 180 connected across the power source in series with cam-operated switch 166. Switch 172 is operated by relay 180, and is coupled with motor 154 in such a way as to initiate the rotation of motor 154 in the opposite direction and deenergize solenoid 110. The length of the processing period during which the sheets are allowed to remain in superposition before the carriage is returned from its terminal to its initial position is controlled by switch 166 oper-ated by a cam driven by cam timer motor 152. Switch 166 is closed after a delay of predetermined duration energizing relay 180. During the return movement of the carriage, spool 114 remains stationary so as to hold the section of the print-receiving sheet containing a transfer print and supported between rolls 38 and 40'and roll 112 stationary during stripping of the image-recording sheet from the print-receiving sheet and spool 128 is rotated to coil the image-recording sheet thereon and facilitate the stripping of the imagerecording sheet from the print-receiving sheet.

Punch 148 and die 150 provided for punching the print from the print-receiving sheet may be driven (not shown) by a third motor designed to ope-rate through one cycle in a manner similar to the cam timer motor when the cycle is initiated. The operating cycle of the punch and die motor may be initiated by a switch (not shown) operated by a cam driven by cam timer motor 152, the operation of the punch and die motor being initiated approximately contemporaneously with the termination of movement of the carriage into its initial position at the end of a processing cycle.

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. Photographic apparatus for processing successive exposed areas of a light-sensitive image-recording sheet to produce a succession of photographic prints comprising, in combination: I

a pair of juxtaposed members for superposing a second sheet with said image-recording sheet and distributing a processing liquid between said sheets in response to movement of said sheets in superposition relative to and between said members;

means including a guide member spaced from said juxtaposed members for supporting and moving in a predetermined direction a section of said second sheet extending in superposition with said imagerecording sheet between, said juxtaposed members; a pair of gripping members mounted in juxtaposition on opposite sides of said section of said second sheet for movement toward and away from one another to grip and release said superposed sheets;

support means mounting said gripping members for movement together between a first position adjacent said juxtaposed members and a second position adjacent said guide member;

means for urging said grippin g members into engagement with said sheets during movement of said gripping members from said first to said second position to move said sheets between said juxtaposed members, and spacing said gripping members apart to release said sheets during movement of said gripping members from said second to said first position;

and means for advancing said image-recording sheet around one of said gripping members in a direction divergent from said direction of movement of said section of said second sheet during movement of said gripping members from said second to said first position to separate said image-recording sheet from section of said second sheet.

2. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which the position of said guide member is substantially fixed with respect to said juxtaposed members.

3. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for superposing and moving said second sheet include means for holding said section of said second sheet substantially stationary with respect to said juxtaposed members and said guide member during movement of said gripping members from said second to said first position.

4. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which the distance between said first and second positions of 10 said gripping members exceeds the length of one of said prints.

5. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said one gripping member is mounted for rotation in response to movement of said image-recording sheet in said divergent direction in engagement with said one gripping member and said other gripping member is fixed against rotation.

6. The photographic apparatus of claim 5 in which said one gripping member is a roll and said other gripping member includes a surface for contacting said second sheet having a relatively high coetficient of friction.

7. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which the last-mentioned means include a second guide member located adjacent said pressure-applying members for guiding said image-recording sheet around said one gripping member and thence toward said pressure-applying member, and take-up means for drawing said imagerecording sheet around said one gripping member and said second guide member.

8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 comprising a pair of dies disposed on opposite sides of the path of movement of said gripping members between said first and secondpositions, said dies being movable toward one another into engagement with said section of said second sheet for cutting therefrom a portion of said second sheet containing a print, and means for moving said dies toward one another following separation of said image-recording sheet from said portion of said second sheet during movement of said gripping members from said second to said first positions. v

9. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for moving a succession of connected rupturable containers of processing liquid to a position between said sheets adjacent said pressure-applying members, means for engaging the container closest said pressure-applying members for moving said container in the direction of movement of said sheets into engagement with said sheets between said pressure-applying members, and means for severing the connection between said container and the remainder of said succession of containers.

10. The photographic apparatus of claim 9 in which said support means are movable between first and second positions to move said gripping members between, respectively, said first and said second positions thereof and said means for engaging said container for moving said container are mounted on said support means for engaging and moving said container during the terminal portion of movement of said support means from said first to said second position.

11. The photographic apparatus of claim 9 in which said support means are movable between first and second positions for moving said gripping members between, respectively, said first and said second positions thereof, and said means for severing the connections between said containers comprise a cutting member and means mounted on said support means for actuating said cutting member during the terminal portion of movement of said support member from said second to said first position.

12. Photographic apparatus for processing successive exposed areas of a light-sensitive image-recording sheet to produce a succession of photographic prints comprising, in combination:

a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members providing a convergent passage through which said image-recording sheet and a second sheet are movable in superposition;

means on one side of said pressure-applying members for guiding said image-recording sheet and said second sheet along convergent paths into superposition within said convergent passage;

a pair of juxtaposed gripping members;

mounting means on the opposite side of said pressureapplying members supporting said gripping members on the opposite side of said sheets extending through said passage; said mounting means being movable back and forth in the direction of movement of said sheets in superposition between said pressure-applying members; means mounted on said mounting means for urging said gripping members toward one another to grip said superposed sheets during movement of said mounting means away from said pressure-applying members and spacing said gripping members apart from one another during movement of said mounting means toward said pressure-applying members; means for moving a succession of connected rupturable containers of processing liquid to a position adjacent said sheets at one side of said pressure-applying members; means mounted on said mounting means for engaging said container closest said pressure-applying members and moving said container into said passage between said sheets during movement of said mounting means away from said pressure-applying mem bers; cutting means located to said one side of said pressureapplying members for severing the connection between said container and the remainder of said succession of containers; and means comprising a part of said mounting means for coacting with said cutting means to actuate said cutting means to sever said connection during movement of said mounting means toward said pressureapplying members.

13. The photographic apparatus of claim 12 in which said mounting means comprise a carriage including sections extending beyond opposite sides of said pressureapplying members, said gripping members are mounted on the section of said carriage located to said other side of said pressure-applying members and said carriage is movable between a first position in which said gripping members are located adjacent said pressure-applying members, and a second position at which said gripping members are spaced from said pressure-applying members.

14. The photographic apparatus of claim 13 in which means are provided mounted on said carriage for spacing said pressure-applying members apart from one another during the terminal portion of movement of said carriage from said first to said second position.

15. The photographic apparatus of claim 13 compris ing means including a guide member spaced from said pressure-applying members and located to the side of said guide members opposite said pressure-applying members when said carriage is in said second position for supporting and moving a section of said second sheet between said gripping members, and means for advancing said image-recording sheet around one of said gripping members in a direction divergent from the direction of movement of said section of said second sheet during movement of said gripping members and said carriage from said second to said first position to separate said imagerecording sheet from saidsection of said second sheet.

15. The photographic apparatus of claim 15 in which the last-mentioned means include a second guide member located adjacent said pressure-applying members for guiding said image-recording sheet around said one gripping member and thence toward said pressure-applying members, and take-up means for drawing said image-recording sheet around said one gripping member and said second guide member.

17. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 16 comprising a pair of dies disposed on opposite sides of the path of movement of said gripping members between said first and second positions, said dies being movable toward one another into engagement with said section of said second sheet for cutting therefrom a portion of said second sheet containing a print, and means for moving said dies toward one another following separation of said image-recording sheet from said portion of said second sheet during movement of-said gripping members from said second to said first position.

18. In photographic apparatus including a pair of juxtaposed members for superposing a pair of sheets and distributing a processing liquid between said sheets during movement of said sheets between said members, a pair of gripping members for gripping said superposed sheets, mounting means for said gripping members, a first guide member for supporting a section of one of said superposed sheets, a second guide member for guiding the other of said sheets around one of said gripping members in a direction divergent from the direction of movement of saidsection of said one sheet, first takeup means for said one sheet and second take-up means for said other sheet for moving said other sheet in said divergent direction, drive and control means comprising, in combination:

a reversible motor coupled with said mounting means for moving said gripping members from an initial position in one direction away from said juxtaposed members to a second position for drawing said superposed sheets in the direction of movement of said section of said first sheet between said juxtaposed members and in the opposite direction toward said superposed members;

said reversible motor being coupled through a one way clutch to said first take-up means for driving the latter during movement of said gripping members in said one direction and through a one way clutch to said second take-up means for driving said second take-up means during movement of said gripping membersin said opposite direction;

means for urging said gripping members toward on another during movement thereof in said opposite direction; and

control means for initiating the operation of said motor to move said gripping members in said one direction to draw predetermined lengths of said sheets in superposition between said .juxtaposed members and then, reversing the direction of operation of said juxtaposed members and then, reversing thedirection of operation of said motor to return said gripping members in said other direction and discontinuing the operation of said motor when said gripping members are in said'initial position.

19. The photographic apparatus of claim 18 in which said control means include a timing device for providing a dwell period of predetermined duration when said gripping members are in said second position between operation of said motor in opposite directions.

20. The photographic apparatus of claim 18in which said control means include a first switch for discontinuing the operation of said motor during movement of said gripping members in said first direction and a second switch for discontinuing the operation of said motor upon return of said gripping members to said initial position, and said mounting means include means for operat ing said switches.

21. The photographic apparatus of claim 18 in which said means for urging said gripping members toward one another into gripping engagement with said sheets comprise a solenoid supported on said mounting means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,653,527 9/1953 Land -13 2,778,269 1/1957 Bartlett 9513 X 2,915,393 12/1959 Fairbank 95-89 X 3,140,646 7/1964 Mason et al. 95-75 3,174,419 3/1965 Sable 95-75 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING SUCCESSIVE EXPOSED AREAS OF A LIGHT-SENSITIVE IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET TO PRODUCE A SUCCESSION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A PAIR OF JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS FOR SUPERPOSING A SEOND SHEET WITH SAID IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET AND DISTRIBUTING A PROCESSING LIQUID BETWEEN SAID SHEETS IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID SHEETS IN SUPERPOSITION RELATIVE TO AND BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS; MEANS INCLUDING A GUIDE MEMBER SPACED FROM SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING AND MOVING IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION A SECTION OF SAID SECOND SHEET EXTENDING IN SUPERPOSITION WITH SAID IMAGERECORDING SHEET BETWEEN SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS; A PAIR OF GRIPPING MEMBERS MOUNTED IN JUXTAPOSITION ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID SECTION OF SAID SECOND SHEET FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER TO GRIP AND RELEASE SAID SUPERPOSED SHEETS; SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTING SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS FOR MOVEMENT TOGETHER BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION ADJACENT SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS AND A SECOND POSITION ADJACENT SAID GUIDE MEMBER; MEANS FOR URGING SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SHEETS DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS FROM SAID FIRST TO SAID SECOND POSITION TO MOVE SAID SHEETS BETWEEN SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS, AND SPACING SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS APART TO RELEASE SAID SHEETS DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS FROM SAID SECOND TO SAID FIRST POSITION; AND MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET AROUND ONE OF SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS IN A DIRECTION DIVERGENT FROM SAID DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID SECTION OF SAID SECOND SHEET DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS FROM SAID SECOND TO SAID FIRST POSITION TO SEPARATE SAID IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET FROM SECTION OF SAID SECOND SHEET.