US3650751A

US3650751A - Photographic film pack

Info

Publication number: US3650751A
Application number: US785277A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hans-Peter Huber
Original assignee: Agfa Gevaert AG
Current assignee: Agfa Gevaert AG
Priority date: 1967-12-22
Filing date: 1968-12-19
Publication date: 1972-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-21

Abstract

Successive film units which are stored in the container of a photographic film pack for use in a camera which develops the film are connected to each other by flexible coupling strips each of which automatically passes between the pressure applying rolls of the camera in response to withdrawal of the preceding film unit. The leading ends of coupling strips are weakened so that they can be readily separated from preceding film units. Such separation is further facilitated by transversely extending or inclined beads provided on the coupling strips and engaging with the pressure applying rolls during separation of respective coupling strips from the preceding film units.

Description

, United States Patent Huber 1451 Mar. 21, 1972 [54] PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM PACK 3,161,516 12/1964 Hamilton et al. ..96/76 3,320,065 5 1967 Campbell ..96/76 [72] Invent Huber Germany 3,433,636 3/1969 Hamilton ....96/76 [73] Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft, Lever- 3,479,184 l [/1969 Land at al ..96/76 kusen, Germany Filed: 7 Dec 19, 1968 Primary Examiner-Murray Katz Appl. No.: 785,277

Att0rneyMichael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT Successive film units which are stored in the container of a photographic film pack for use in a camera which develops the film are connected to each other by flexible coupling strips each of which automatically passes between the pressure applying rolls of the camera in response to withdrawal of the preceding film unit. The leading ends of coupling strips are weakened-so that they can be readily separated from preceding film units. Such separation is further facilitated by transversely extending or inclined beads provided on the coupling strips and engaging with the pressure applying rolls during separation of respective coupling strips from the preceding film units.

25 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented March 21, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A F EW-I/lM///// fir!!! J IV. m m mm &

Patented March 21, 1972 3,650,751

3 Sheets-Sheet z Fig. 3

INVENTOR.

HANS-PETE HUBER BY 02/4 f 18/,

A' aw 17 PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM PACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in film packs for use in photographic apparatus which are designed to expose and to immediately develop photosensitive sheets. Film packs for use in such photographic apparatus are described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,161,516 to Hamilton et al.

The patent to Hamilton et al. discloses a film pack wherein a first leader serves to draw a film unit through the nip of two pressure applying rolls which are installed in the body of the photographic apparatus, and wherein a second leader bypasses the pressure applying rolls and is connected to the first leader of the next-following film unit. The purpose of the second leader is to advance the next-following first leader into the nip of the pressure applying rolls so that the corresponding film unit can be withdrawn upon exposure of its photosensitive sheet to scene light. A drawback of such proposal is that the second leader must be separated from the preceding first leader when the next-following first leader enters the nip of the pressure applying rolls. If the user of the photographic apparatus is awkward or if the separation is carried out improperly for another reason, the first leader is retracted from the nip and the film pack must be discarded because the user cannot withdraw the remaining film units. Furthermore, the patented film pack is quite expensive and comprises a large number of parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of my invention is to provide a simple, compact and relatively inexpensive photographic film pack for use in apparatus which develop freshly exposed photosensitive sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a film pack which is constructed and assembled in such a waythat each removable part of its contents must pass through the nip of pressure applying rolls in the camera.

A further object of the invention is to provide a film pack which can be used in presently known cameras and which automatically places a part of the next-following film unit into an optimum position for withdrawal and development in response to withdrawal of the preceding film unit.

An additional object of the invention is to provide novel coupling means between successive film units of the film pack.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the film pack with novel means for facilitating separation of exposed film units from the next-following unexposed film units.

An ancillary object of the invention is to provide a film pack wherein separation of preceding film units from the next-following film units necessitates the exertion of a small force.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a film pack wherein the parts which connect successive film units to each other cannot affect the quality of exposures, even under most unfavorable circumstances.

A further object of the invention is to provide a film pack wherein each preceding film unit is separated from the nextfollowing film unit in an accurately determined region so that the next-following'film unit is then in an optimum position for withdrawal from the container of the film pack upon completed exposure of its photosensitive sheet to scene light.

The improved film pack comprises a container having a passage, at least two film units stored in the container and each including a photosensitive sheet and a print-receiving sheet, a withdrawing device for withdrawing one of the film units along a predetermined path by way of the passage in the container upon completed exposure of photosensitive sheet in the one film unit to scene light, and a flexible coupling strip connecting the withdrawing device of the one film unit with one sheet of the other film unit so that the coupling strip emerges from the passage upon completed withdrawal of the one film unit and the other film unit can be withdrawn by the coupling strip along the aforementioned path upon completed exposure of its photosensitive sheet to scene light. The width of at least a portion of the coupling strip is preferably less than the width of a sheet. Each coupling strip may consist of synthetic plastic material whose thickness is preferably less than one-tenth of a millimeter.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved film pack itself, however, both as =to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a film pack which accommodates two film units and is constructed and assembled in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a developed view of a coupling strip in .a second film pack, additional coupling strips being shown in stacked condition;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a leader and a masking sheet for use in the film pack;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a further coupling strip, and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of still another coupling strip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a container 1 whichforms part of a film pack and consists of sheet metal or synthetic plastic material. This container may be a unitary one-piece structureor it may comprise several separable sections. One side wall of the container 1 is formed with a generally rectangular exposure aperture la and its front end wall has a passage 1b for withdrawal of successive film units.

A pressure plate 2 is provided in and divides the interior of the container into a first chamber which is adjacent to the exposure aperture 111 and a second chamber. The rear portion 2a of the pressure plate 2 (namely, that portion which is remote from the passage lb) is rolled or curved to properly guide successive photosensitive sheets 5 which form a stack 3 in the first chamber of the container 1. The second chamber accommodates a stack 4 of print-receiving sheets 9. Biasing means (not shown) are provided to urge the pressure plate 2 upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 1, so as to ensure that the topmost photosensitive sheet 5 lies flat in the plane immediately adjacent to the exposure aperture 10.

The leading (left-hand) end of each photosensitive sheet 5 is connected with the trailing end of a first flexible connecting strip 6 whose leading end is connected to the leading end 7 of a second flexible connecting strip 8. The latter has a trailing end which is connected to the leading (right-hand) end of the corresponding print-receiving sheet 9. The strips 6, 8 are of the same length and the length of each of these strips slightly exceeds half the length of a sheet 5 or 9. The leading end 7 of the strip 8 in .the first film unit (including the outermost photosensitive sheet 5 and the outermost print-receiving sheet 9) is connected with a leader 13 which extends through the passage lb and can be pulled to advance in the direction indicated by the arrow. In response to such pull, the leader l3 immediatelydraws the first connecting strip 6 and the outermost photosensitive sheet 5 around the rear portion 2a of the pressure plate 2 so that the outermost sheet 5 advances toward a position of registry or overlap with the outermost printreceiving sheet 9. The leading end 7 of the second connecting strip 8 shares the lengthwise movement of the leader 13 and first connector strip 6; however, the strip 8 is merely bent over itself and causes the outermost sheet 9 to advance toward and through the passage lb only when the outermost sheet 9 registers with the corresponding sheet 5. The two sheets 5, 9 are then caused to pass through the the nip of two pressure applying rolls 10, 11 which are adjacent to but spaced from the passage 1b and are installed in the body of the camera. The strips 6, 8 together form a withdrawing device for the first film unit including the two outermost sheets 5 and 9.

The first connecting strip 6 carries a rupturable receptacle or envelope 12 which contains a supply of processing fluid. This receptacle bursts open and its contents are distributed uniformly between the sheets 5, 9 during travel through the nip of the pressure applying rolls 10, 11.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the trailing (right-hand) end of the outermost photosensitive sheet 5 is connected with the leading end of an elongated coupling strip 14 which passes in the first chamber between the two photosensitive sheets 5, along the concave inner side of the first strip 6 for the outermost sheet 5 (i.e., along the convex side of the rear portion 2a of the pressure plate 2), between the two print-receiving sheets 9 in the second chamber, around the leading end of the inner sheet 9, and is connected with the leading end 7 of the second connecting strip 8 for the inner sheet 9. The coupling strip 14 is provided with a thickened portion or bead 15. When the user exerts a pull on the coupling strip 14 and causes the latter to pass through the nip of the rolls 10, 11, the bead engages with these rolls and the user feels that the resistance to extraction of the strip 14 increases.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coupling strip 14 (shown in developed view, i.e., lying in a single plane) comprises an elongated portion 14 whose width is constant and is only a fraction of the width of a sheet 5 or 9 and whose length equals or approximates twice the length of a sheet 5 or 9. The width ofthe next portion of the strip 14 increases gradually, as at 1b, to form a handgrip portion 16 whose trailing end is provided with the bead 15. The length of the handgrip portion 16 is such that it can be readily grasped by two fingers at the righthand (downstream) side of rolls 10, 11 (FIG. 1) when the bead 15 enters the nip at the upstream (left-hand) side of these rolls. FIG. 2 further shows the leading end 7 of the next following second connecting strip 8 and the receptacle 12 which bursts open to distribute fluid between the sheet 9 which is connected to the just mentioned strip 8 and the corresponding sheet 5.

FIG. 2 also shows a preferred configuration of portions of coupling strips which precede the coupling strip 14. It is assumed that the strip 14 connects the next-to-the-last sheet 5 (shown in the lower part of FIG. 2) with the last film unit. The preceding coupling strips have pairs of

symmetrical webs

14a, 14b, 14c which flank the elongated portion 14' of the strip 14, Such configuration of the coupling strips is desirable in order to avoid excessive localized thickening of the stack 3 in the first chamber ofthe container 1. The free ends of pairs of

webs

14a, 14b, 140 are connected to each other by triangular tabs 14d. The elongated portion 14 of the strip 14 is flanked by the

webs

14a, 14b, 140 so that these parts together form a single staggered layer which does not cause localized thickening of the material in the first chamber of the container.

When a preceding film unit is being withdrawn from the container 1, the coupling strip 14 for the next-following film unit is not subjected to any tensional stresses, i.e., such coupling strip merely overcomes friction. Therefore, the strips 14 can be made of extremely thin material, preferably highly flexible synthetic plastic foil. Foils whose thickness is in the range of a few hundredths of a millimeter and which offer satisfactory resistance to tearing stresses arising in a film pack are known in the art. An advantage of extremely thin foils is that they can flex or bend over themselves with a very small radius of curvature. During the initial stage of withdrawal of a strip 14, such bending or rolling over takes place behind the exposure aperture In.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coupling strip 14 is weakened by a line of perforations 17 in the region between the elongated portion 14 and the handgrip portion 16. These perforations reduce the resistance of the strip 14 to tearing stresses and enable the user to tear the strip with the exertion of a rather small force when the bead 15 enters the nip of the rolls 10, 11. If the sheets 5 are fixed in the first chamber of the container 1 by layers of relatively weak adhesive or the like, the weakened portion 17 of the coupling strip 14 should be strong enough to ensure that the sheets 5 are set in motion in response to a pull on the handgrip portions 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates a leader 18 which extends from the passage lb of a container 1 in a fresh film pack. The trailing end of the leader 18 is connected with an opaque masking sheet 19 which prevents penetration of light through the exposure aperture 10. The leading end of the leader 18 is reinforced, as at 20, for example, by a layer of adhesive-coated paper or the like. The length of the leader 18 is about twice or three times the length of a sheet 5 or 9, and the thickness of its leading end 20 is such that it can be readily introduced through the nip of the rolls 10,11. These rolls are accessible upon removal or opening of the cover in a photographic camera for use with film packs. The masking sheet 19 is connected with the leader 13 shown in FIG. 1.

When the container 1 is properly inserted into the camera and the user wishes to make a first exposure, he exerts a pull on the leading end 20 to draw the masking sheet 19 away from the exposure aperture la and to advance the leader 13 toward and through the nip of the rolls 10, 11. The leader 13 comes to a halt when its bead 15 (FIG. 1) reaches the nip ofthe rolls 10, 11. The outermost sheet 5 is then ready for exposure and the leader 13 can be severed along a line of perforations corresponding to the perforations 17 shown in FIG. 2. The handgrip portion 13a of the leader 13 remains accessible at the right-hand side of the rolls 10, 11, as viewed in FIG. 1. If desired, the leader 13 need not be formed with any perforations, i.e., the bead 15 thereon may merely serve as a signal that the user should tear the leader at a certain distance from the rolls 10, 11.

When the first exposure is completed, the user exerts a strong pull on the portion 13a of the leader 13 so as to move the bead 15 through the nip of and beyond the rolls 10, 11. The leader 13 then causes the freshly exposed outermost sheet 5 to move away from registry with the exposure aperture 111 and toward registry with the outermost sheet 9 in a manner as described above in connection with FIG. 1. The leader 13 can thereby break a rather weak bond which fixes the outermost sheet 5 in registry with the aperture la. The sheets 5, 9 begin to move as a unit toward the rolls 10, 11 and the respective receptacle 12 is caused to burst open and to distribute its fluid contacts in the space between the two sheets. The development ofthe exposed sheet begins.

As the user pulls the leader 13, he causes the coupling strip 14 for the second film unit to advance toward and through the nip of the rolls 10, 11. Such lengthwise movement of the strip 14 is terminated when its bead 15 engages the rolls 10, 11. The strip 14 is thereupon broken along the perforations 17 so that only its handgrip portion 16 extends beyond the two rolls. The same procedure is repeated after the second exposure whereby the second coupling strip 14 advances through the nip of the rolls 10, 11 and tears to leave a short handgrip portion 16 which is pulled upon completion of the third exposure, and so forth. Faulty manipulation is extremely unlikely because all the user has to know is to pull upon the exposed

handgrip portion

13a or 16 upon completion of an exposure until the leader 13 or a coupling strip tears.

If desired, the sheets of each film unit in the container 1 can be stacked in such a way that each sheet 9 is caused to roll over itself during withdrawal by way of the passage lb. Furthermore, the

leaders

13, 19 and the coupling strips 14 may consist of paper, metallic foil or a combination of paper with metallic or plastic foil. It is equally possible to secure each coupling strip 14 to the trailing end of the corresponding picture-receiving sheet 9.

REferring again to FIG. 1, the leader 13 is closely analogous to and constitutes a coupling strip 14 if the container accommodates three or more film units. Thus, if the film units shown in FIG. 1 are the last two of three or more units, the leader 13 represents that part of a coupling strip 14 which served to connect the freshly withdrawn film unit (not shown) with the film unit including the two outermost sheets 5, 9 of FIG. 1. Thus, the portion 13a then corresponds to the handgrip portion 16 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a coupling strip 1 14 which is similar to the strip 14 of FIG. 2 with the sole exception that the bead 115 is relatively short and makes an acute angle with the longitudinal direction of the strip. Such inclination of the bead 115 facilitates tearing of the strip 114 along the line of perforations 117 when the bead 115 reaches the nip of the pressure applying rolls (not shown in FIG. 4). Since the bead 115 is inclined, the stresses along one edge of the elongated portion 114 increase when the operator exerts a pull in the direction indicated by arrow so that the tearing of strip 114 begins along the perforations 117 in a direction from the left to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4. As a matter of fact, the entire strip 114 can be caused to change its position when the bead 115 enters the nip of the pressure applying rolls. If desired, the inclined bead 115 can extend across the entire strip 114. Also, the bead could be placed into a centralzone of the strip 114.

In order to avoid undue thickening of the stack in the first chamber of the container, the beads 115 of successive coupling strips 114 can be located at the opposite sides of the common central symmetry plane of such strips. The position of the bead 115a on the next-following strip 114 is indicated in FIG. 4 by phantom lines.

Due to one-sided or eccentric location of the bead 115, the left-hand edge portion of the strip 114 first undergoes elastic deformation when the bead 115 enters the nip of the pressure applying rolls, and the tension in the left-hand edge portion then increases to cause tearing of the strip 114 between the left-hand edge and the leftmost perforation 117. The stress is thereupon concentrated on the web between the two leftmost perforations 117 until this web yields and tears, and the same procedure is repeated until the strip 114 is caused to tear all the way to its right-hand edge portion.

The fact the the bead 115 is inclined does not affect withdrawal of the next film unit because the user can grip the relatively wide handgrip portion 116 and can cause the bead 115 to pass between and beyond the pressure applying rolls. Moreover, the distance between the line of perforations 117 and the bead 115 is rather short. Thus, the handgrip portion 116 is quite capable of withstanding the stresses which arise when the inclined bead 115 must be caused to advance beyond the pressure applying rolls. If desired, the bead 115 can consist ofa line ofdiscrete protuberances.

The coupling strip 114 of FIG. 4 represents a simple solution of the problem of insuring that successive film units of a film pack are separated from each other in predetermined zones and in such a way that the next-following unit can be readily withdrawn as soon as its photosensitive sheet is exposed to scene light. Another important advantage of the coupling strip 114 is that its weakened portion 117 can be destroyed by exertion ofa relatively small force as well as that this weakened portion can readily withstand tensional stresses which arise during withdrawal of the preceding film unit while the bead 115 travels toward the pressure applying rolls. It is preferred to select the position of the bead 115 in such a way that its distance from the center of the strip 114 (Le, from the longitudinal central symmetry plane of the strip) at least equals half the width of the weakened portion 117.

Referring finally to FIG. 5, there is shown in developed view a further coupling strip 214 which connects a preceding film unit with the handgrip portion of the next-following coupling strip. The strip 214 comprises a bifurcated portion including two

arms

221, 222 which straddle the photosensitive sheet 5 of the next-following film unit. The

arms

221, 222 are then adjacent to the emulsion-coated side ofthe sheet 5.

It is well known that decomposition of highly sensitive silver salt particles in the emulsion of the sheet 5 can take place in response to exposure to light as well as on exposure to the action of several chemical substances, such as certain softening agents in plastic foils, certain solvents for lacquers and the like. This causes blackening of localized areas of the sheet 5. In order to avoid the likelihood of affecting the quality of exposures even when a film pack is stored under most unfavorable circumstances, the

arms

221, 222 of the strip 214 are placed close to those portions (5A, 5B) of the sheet 5 which are not exposed to scene light, i.e., which do not carry a portion of the image because they are overlapped by the marginal masking portions of the corresponding image-receiving sheet 9. Thus, even if the material of the

arms

221, 222 contains an agent which could affect the quality of exposures, such agent acts on the emulsion of the sheet 5 in

regions

5A, 5B which-are thereupon overlapped by the masking portions of the associated sheet 9.

The

arms

221, 222 extend from a triangular intermediate portion 223 of the coupling strip 214. The portion 223 has a concave edge face 223a which overlies the adjoining portion SD of the sheet 5 when the strip 214 is properly folded in the first chamber of a container in a film pack. Such configuration facilitates flexing of the strip 214 in the region of the portion 223 during withdrawal from the container.

An advantage of the strip 214 is that the manufacturer can pick its material from a wider selection of materials including those which might contain certain chemicals that could, under adverse circumstances, affect the emulsions on the adjoining photosensitive sheets S. The numeral 217 denotes the weakened portion of the coupling strip 214.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of my contribution to the art.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. In a photographic film pack, a combination comprising a container having a passage; identical first and second film units stored in said container and each including a photosensitive sheet and a print-receiving sheet, the photosensitive sheets of said units being stored separately from said print receiving sheets of said units; identical first and second withdrawing means for respectively withdrawing said first and second film units along a predetermine path by way of said passage, each of said withdrawing means comprising a pair of connecting strips each having a trailing end connected to the leading end of a different sheet of the respective film unit and a leading end connected to the leading end of the other connecting strip, the leading end of at least one connecting strip of said first withdrawing means being accessible for the application of a withdrawing force outside of said passage; a flexible coupling strip connecting the trailing end of one sheet of said first film unit with the leading ends of connecting strips of said second withdrawing means so that said coupling strip emerges from said passage upon withdrawal of said first film unit and can be advanced along said path to effect the withdrawal of said second film unit, the connecting strips of each of said withdrawing means being connected to each other in such a way that one sheet of the respective film unit is advanced toward said passage ahead of the other sheet in response to a pull upon said accessible leading end to withdraw said first film unit and in response to a pull upon said coupling strip to withdraw said second film unit and that, during removal from said container by way of said passage, the sheets of the respective film units overlap each other; and a fluid-containing receptacle for each of said film units, said receptacle being arranged to share the movement of the respective withdrawing means and to burst open, when subjected to roll pressure, to distribute fluid between the respective photosensitive sheet and the overlapping print-receiving sheet.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the width of at least a portion of said coupling strip is less than the width of one of said sheets.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said container defines two chambers one of which accommodates said photosensitive sheets and the other of which accommodates said print-receiving sheets, said photosensitive sheets and said print-receiving sheets respectively having their trailing and leading ends adjacent to said passage and said coupling strip extending between said photosensitive sheets, thereupon between said print-receiving sheets, and about the leading end of the print-receiving sheet in said second film unit.

4. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein the length of each of said connecting strips at least equals half the length of one of said sheets.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein, upon complete withdrawal of said first film unit from said container by way of said passage, said coupling strip extends a predetermined distance beyond said passage and comprises an exposed handgrip portion which can be grasped to effect withdrawal of said second film unit.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein the film pack is intended for use in photographic apparatus having pressure applying members between which the film units advance subsequent to withdrawal from the container by way of said passage, said handgrip portion being located downstream of said pressure applying members when the sheets of said second film unit are still accommodated in said container.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein the width of said handgrip portion increases in a direction counter to the direction of movement of said coupling strip between said pressure applying members.

8. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said coupling strip has a thickened portion which is located upstream of said pressure applying members when said handgrip portion is located downstream of said members whereby a person attempting to withdraw said second film unit must overcome-the resistance of said members to passage of said thickened portion therebetween.

9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said coupling strip comprises a weakened portion located ahead of said handgrip portion and arranged to be destroyed in response to a pull upon the first film unit when said thickened portion engages said pressure applying members.

10. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling strip consists of highly elastic, tear resistant plastic foil material of minimal plasticity.

11. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling strip is a foil whose thickness is less than one-tenth of a millimeter.

12. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein a portion of said coupling strip extends between the photosensitive sheets of said film units and wherein said portion comprises two symmetric webs and a substantially triangular tab extending between and connecting said webs to each other.

13. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a masking sheet overlying an exposure aperture provided in said container and a leader connected with said masking sheet and extending through said passage and having a reinforced leading end by way of which the masking sheet can be withdrawn from the container to thus enable scene light to reach the photosensitive sheet of said first film unit, the withdrawing means of said first film unit being connected to said masking sheet.

14. A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein the length of said leader is about three times the length of a photosensitive sheet.

15. A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein the withdrawing means for said first film unit comprises a second leader connected with the trailing end of said masking sheet.

16. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the coupling strip is connected with the photosensitive sheet of said second film unit and comprises a pair of arms overlying two marginal portions of the respective photosensitive sheet.

17. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein each of said print-receiving sheets has a pair of marginal masking portions which overlie the marginal portions of the respective photosensitive sheets upon withdrawal of film units by way of said passage.

18. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said coupling strip further comprises an intermediate portion which is inte ral with said arms. I

19. A com ination as defined in claim 18, wherein said intermediate portion is of substantially triangular outline and its width decreases in a direction away from said arms.

20. A combination as defined in claim 18, wherein said intermediate portion has a concave edge face extending between said arms adjacent to the photosensitive sheet of said second film unit.

21. A combination as defined in claim 1 for use in photographic apparatus having a pair of pressure applying members between which a front portion of said coupling strip extends in response to withdrawal of said first film unit, said coupling strip having a weakened portion and a thickened portion inclined with reference to the longitudinal direction of said coupling strip to facilitate destruction of said weakened portion in response to engagement with said pressure applying members.

22. A combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said thickened portion extends across a part of said coupling strip.

23. A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein said weakened portion includes a line of perforations.

24. A combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said thickened portion is provided at one side of the center of said coupling strip and wherein the distance between said thickened portion and said center at least equals half the width of said weakened portion.

25. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling strip has a trailing end connected to said first sheet of said one film unit and a leading end connected to the leading ends of connecting strips of said second withdrawing means.

Claims

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the width of at least a portion of said coupling strip is less than the width of one of said sheets.
3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said container defines two chambers one of which accommodates said photosensitive sheets and the other of which accommodates said print-receiving sheets, said photosensitive sheets and said print-receiving sheets respectively having their trailing and leading ends adjacent to said passage and said coupling strip extending between said photosensitive sheets, thereupon between said print-receiving sheets, and about the leading end of the print-receiving sheet in said second film unit.
4. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein the length of each of said connecting strips at least equals half the length of one of said sheets.
5. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein, upon complete withdrawal of said first film unit from said container by way of said passage, said coupling strip extends a predetermined distance beyond said passage and comprises an exposed handgrip portion which can be grasped to effect withdrawal of said second film unit.
6. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein the film pack is intended for use in photographic apparatus having pressure applying members between which the film units advance subsequent to withdrawal from the container by way of said passage, said handgrip portion being located downstream of said pressure applyiNg members when the sheets of said second film unit are still accommodated in said container.
7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein the width of said handgrip portion increases in a direction counter to the direction of movement of said coupling strip between said pressure applying members.
8. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said coupling strip has a thickened portion which is located upstream of said pressure applying members when said handgrip portion is located downstream of said members whereby a person attempting to withdraw said second film unit must overcome the resistance of said members to passage of said thickened portion therebetween.
9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said coupling strip comprises a weakened portion located ahead of said handgrip portion and arranged to be destroyed in response to a pull upon the first film unit when said thickened portion engages said pressure applying members.
10. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling strip consists of highly elastic, tear resistant plastic foil material of minimal plasticity.
11. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling strip is a foil whose thickness is less than one-tenth of a millimeter.
12. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein a portion of said coupling strip extends between the photosensitive sheets of said film units and wherein said portion comprises two symmetric webs and a substantially triangular tab extending between and connecting said webs to each other.
13. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a masking sheet overlying an exposure aperture provided in said container and a leader connected with said masking sheet and extending through said passage and having a reinforced leading end by way of which the masking sheet can be withdrawn from the container to thus enable scene light to reach the photosensitive sheet of said first film unit, the withdrawing means of said first film unit being connected to said masking sheet.
14. A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein the length of said leader is about three times the length of a photosensitive sheet.
15. A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein the withdrawing means for said first film unit comprises a second leader connected with the trailing end of said masking sheet.
16. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the coupling strip is connected with the photosensitive sheet of said second film unit and comprises a pair of arms overlying two marginal portions of the respective photosensitive sheet.
17. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein each of said print-receiving sheets has a pair of marginal masking portions which overlie the marginal portions of the respective photosensitive sheets upon withdrawal of film units by way of said passage.
18. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said coupling strip further comprises an intermediate portion which is integral with said arms.
19. A combination as defined in claim 18, wherein said intermediate portion is of substantially triangular outline and its width decreases in a direction away from said arms.
20. A combination as defined in claim 18, wherein said intermediate portion has a concave edge face extending between said arms adjacent to the photosensitive sheet of said second film unit.
21. A combination as defined in claim 1 for use in photographic apparatus having a pair of pressure applying members between which a front portion of said coupling strip extends in response to withdrawal of said first film unit, said coupling strip having a weakened portion and a thickened portion inclined with reference to the longitudinal direction of said coupling strip to facilitate destruction of said weakened portion in response to engagement with said pressure applying members.
22. A combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said thickened portion extends across a part of said coupling strip.
23. A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein said weakened portion includes a line of perforations.
24. A combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said thickened portion is provided at one side of the center of said coupling strip and wherein the distance between said thickened portion and said center at least equals half the width of said weakened portion.
25. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling strip has a trailing end connected to said first sheet of said one film unit and a leading end connected to the leading ends of connecting strips of said second withdrawing means.