US3680466A

US3680466A - Single use film developer and automatic, rupturable developer package therefor

Info

Publication number: US3680466A
Application number: US77780A
Authority: US
Inventors: James F G Bowlby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: BOWLBY ASSOCIATES Inc; Scopas Technology Corp
Priority date: 1970-10-05
Filing date: 1970-10-05
Publication date: 1972-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-01

Abstract

The developer package is provided with rupturable means that permit the developer fluid to be discharged automatically into a rigid container as the coupled film and developer packages are drawn therethrough.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 0,466

Bowlby [4 Aug. 1, 1972 [541 SINGLE USE FILM DEVELOPER AND [56] References Cited AUTOMATIC, RUPTURABLE DEVELOPER PACKAGE THEREFOR UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,195,436 7/1965 Decrop ..95/90 [72] Invenm" 33 5 2; 32:252 53%; 3,280,718 10/1966 Decrop ..95/9o 3,379,879 4/1968 Dicker et a1. ..95/90 x [22] Filed: Oct. 5, 1970 21 App] 77 7 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard L. Moses Attorney-Leonard H. King [52] US. Cl ..95/90, 95/13, 95/89 R,

96/76 R, 250/69 TR 4 [51] Int. Cl. ..G03d l/02 [57] ABS CT [58] Field of Search ...95/89 R, 89 L, 90, 13; 250/65, The developer package is provided with rupturable 250/68, 69; 96/76 R means that permit the developer fluid to be discharged automatically into a rigid container as the coupled film and developer packages are drawn therethrough.

18 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATTEDAue 1 m2 SHEET 1 BF 3 INVENTOR.

AMES 304043 ATTORNEY PATENIED B 7 3.680,466

INVENTOR. Ji/wzs [4 may SINGLE USE FILM DEVELOPER AND AUTOMATIC, RUPTURABLE DEVELOPER PACKAGE THEREFOR This invention relates generally to the photographic arts and more particularly to improvements in a low cost film developer that is disposable after a single use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A need exists for a low cost, simple developing apparatus for exposed, light-sensitive film. X-rays have on-the-site applications such as at accident scenes and during military operations. There are also industrial uses for on-the-site X-rays for inspection purposes and the like. While it is highly desirable that the X-ray film be developed as promptly as possible, this is frequently not done because dark room facilities are usually remote. There must necessarily be a time delay between film exposure and processing that could prove costly.

An example of apparatus to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art in this field is disclosed in my copending application, Ser. No. 760,23 1 filed on Sept. 17, 1968. Therein a system is disclosed which utilizes a supply of film developer contained within a rigid compartment. The exposed film is attached to a pull tab which is then drawn through the developer, carrying with it the exposed film.

Another copending application, Ser. No. 814,243, filed Apr. 8, 1969, discloses an improvement over the first filed application in that a length of exposed film is coupled to a pliable package containing a fluid composition for treating the film. The pliable package and the film are drawn through a rigid container that applies a force to the pliable package so that the fluid is discharged therefrom into the rigid container and onto the film.

Still other examples of the prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 3,379,8 79 issued to RT. Dicker et al. on Apr. 23, 1968 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,430,042 granted on Feb. 25, 1969 to V. Neri. Both of these last mentioned patents relate to devices for developing dental X-ray film and provide that both the film and the processing fluid are in the same package. The disadvantage of the prior art structure is that there is always the possibility of leakage of the processing fluid. By way of contrast, the present invention permits remote usage of the X-ray film which is then coupled to a processor for development. The prior art requires that the processing fluid be dispensed onto the film instead of moving the film through and out of the processing fluid in accordance with the concept of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An improvement that will be discussed in detail hereinafter is the means for automatically opening the package of developer fluid so that it may be discharged into its rigid container just prior to pulling the film therethrough. At least one tab is formed on the pliable developer package containing the fluid film treating composition. The tab isheat sealed between opposed layers of the rigid developer container so that when the pliable developer package is pulled it is torn in the area adjacent the captured tab. Alternatively two opposed tabs may be employed. Another alternative is to provide a starting cut adjacent the juncture of the tab and the body of the pliable developer bag.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide an improved, low cost, single use film developing pack.

An advantage of this invention is that the improved film developing pack described above does not require the use of a conventional darkroom.

Still another object of this invention is to provide improved means for automatically opening the pliable package containing the film treating fluid and dispensing the fluid into its rigid container.

An additional object of this invention is to provide the automatic dispensing of the film treating fluid by capturing a portion of a pliable fluid package in a rigid container so that the pliable package is torn when it is pulled.

A further object of this invention is to provide the automatic dispensing of the film treating fluid, as described above, by forming at least one projection on the pliable developer package and capturing the projection in the rigid container.

Another object of this invention is to provide the automatic dispensing of the film treating fluid, as described above, including a starting cut adjacent the juncture of the projection and the pliable developer package.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will, in part, be pointed out with particulan'ty and will, in part, become obvious from the following more detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms an integral part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the various figures of the drawing like reference characters designate like parts.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of the film holder comprising the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 but with the coupling means of this invention shown in the bent or folded condition and with an outer pack shown in phantom;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary plan view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating a light seal arrangement for the film holder;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3, with a portion broken away and partially in section, showing the outer pack in solid outline with the coupling means extending therethrough;

FIG. 6 is a plan view, partially broken away and partially in section, illustrating the combined pliable film holder, pliable developer pack and rigid developer container of this invention in their physical relationship preliminary to developing;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view, in section and on an enlarged scale, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the film holder and developer pack in the coupled condition, a portion of the developer container having been removed to show an intermediate stage in the usage of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view, similar to FIG. 8, showing the film positioned in the developer container and with the empty developer package uncoupled;

FIG. 10 is another fragmentary side elevational view in section on an enlarged scale illustrating a feature of the developer container;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a coupled length of film and a developer package illustrating another feature of this invention, the developer container being removed for clarity.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view with the developer container partially broken away illustrating the relationship of the pliable and rigid portions of the developer package and developer container, respectively; and

FIG. 13 is a plan view similar to FIG. 12 showing the pliable developer package almost completely removed and with thefilrn almost completely positioned within the rigid developer container.

Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIGS. 14, there is shown the film holder portion 20 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4 a length of film 22 is positioned between layers of

protective sheets

24a, 24b. such as paper, for example. The

paper layers

24a, 24b protect the emulsion on the film 22 from light rays and also keep the film 22 from sticking and from being scratched as it is pulled. A layer of lead 26 may also be provided for protective purposes. The several layers just described are packaged in an opaque, pliable plastic holder 28 which is positioned in an opaque outer pack 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 3A and 4, means made of a heat sealable-plastic material are provided for making the, pliable film holder 28 light-tight. The upper layer 32 of the film holder 28 is shorter than the lower layer 34, the end 36 of which is folded over as shown in FIG. 4. The two

layers

32 and 34 are heat sealed along side edges 38 as well as along end 40. This construction defines a film holder that is open at only one end.

The end 36 is bent into a U-shape as shown in FIG. 4 and then is folded over the top layer 32 as best shown in FIG. 3. As is common with all envelopes, the comers defined by the junctures of the sides and the end therebetween will have a slight opening. In letter envelopes, for example, this opening is advantageous since it acts as a vent. However, for the present application, any such opening would be deleterious, since it could easily permit entry of light. This problem is overcome by a small angularly placed heat seal 42 as shown in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 3A on an enlarged scale. It should be particularly noted that the heat seal is very small and does not interfere with the opening of the film holder 28. For all practical purposes, the end 36 may be considered as being functionally open but with provisions being made at the comers to close the vent holes.

In order to provide coupling means for the pliable film holder 28 a tab comprised of two layers of pliable plastic film 50 is secured to the end of the film 22 adjacent the open end 36 of the container 28. The tab 50 is first folded so as to be positioned between the upper layer 32 and the inner surface of the folded over end 36 of the film holder 28. The tab 50 is then reverse-folded over the outer surface of the end 36 to define, together therewith, an S-shaped bend. Thus the film tab 50 is intertwined with the end 36 of the pliable film holder 28. As will be described later, the folded over end 36 is opened automatically when the film 22 is pulled to the right. Registered holes 52 are suitably formed in the free end of the tab 50 and a rigid plastic tooth 54 is suitably secured between the layers 50 at the free end thereof so as to extend through the registered openings 52.

The opaque, relatively rigid outer pack 30 is heat sealed about the pliable film holder 28. The outer pack 30 is comprised of upper and

lower layers

62 and 64, respectively, that are heat sealed to each other along at least the side-edges 66 and the end edge 68. The other end edge 70 that is adjacent the tooth 54 is provided with a notch 72 through which the tooth 54 projects. There is thus provided a compact, readily opened film container 20 that is light-tight and which can be stored for a great length of time without adversely affecting the condition of the film therein.

FIGS. 6 10 illustrate how the film holder 28 is coupled to a pliable developer package and also how the invention is used. The developer package 80, which will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter in connection with another aspect of this invention, is made of two heat sealed layers 82 of a suitable plastic. A pull tab 84 is provided integrally at one end of the developer package 80 and a coupling tab 86, having an opening 88 therein, is provided integrally at the other end of the developer package 80. As will be explained below, the tooth 54 is adapted to be hooked into the opening 88 when the developer package 80 is pulled to the right. As shown in FIGS. 6-10 the film 22 will be withdrawn from the film holder 28 and, together with the developer package 80, will be drawn through a developer container 90 which will now be described.

The coupling arrangement described above provides reliable mechanical means that overcome problems inherent with an adhesive type of fastening. Where tape or other form of adhesive bond is used for coupling purposes, there is the possibility of a loss of holding power if exposed to air or moisture.

The developer container 90 is formed of two opposed

rigid layers

92 and 94 of a suitable plastic which are heat sealed along

longitudinal edges

96 and 98. The

layers

92 and 94 are spaced from each other to define a developer chamber 100 and an entrance chamber 102. A first transverse rib 104 separates the two

chambers

100 and 102 and a second transverse rib 106 defines the opposite end of the developer chamber. One of the two

layers

92 and 94 is formed with a recess 107 in the entrance chamber 102 in order to accommodate the coupled portion of the film holder 28 and developer package 80 as shown in FIG. 7. In the assembled condition the recess 107 is aligned with the holes 52 in the tab 50. The recess 107 permits the tooth S4 to snap into place when it is inserted.

When the developer package 80 is pulled to the right, as shown in FIGS. 6 10, the film 22 is drawn out of the film holder 28. In this connection it should be noted that the entrance chamber 102 is provided with longitudinal walls 108 and 110 (FIGS. 6,8 and 9) that converge in the direction of the pulling force in order to bear against and resist further inward movement of the film holder 28 and the rigid container 30. When the film 22 is positioned within the developer chamber 100 the tab 50 is exposed at the right hand end of the developer container 90 and is automatically uncoupled from the developer package 80, as shown in FIG. 10. Because the uncoupling is automatic the film 22 cannot be inadvertently drawn too far to the right. After a predetermined time has elapsed the film 22 is manually withdrawn from the developer chamber 100, using the tab 50 for this purpose.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 7 and 10, the right hand end of the developer container 90 is formed with opposed, enlarged transverse recesses 112a and 112b. Resilient squeegee means 114 and 116 are secured in the recesses 112a and 112b, respectively, in closely spaced opposition to each other so that the film can be drawn therebetween. The squeegee means 114 and 116 squeeze dry the film in order to remove excess fluid and in addition compresses the film emulsion which becomes hard and easier to handle.

The squeegee arrangement described above is advantageous since a developing agent (more notably in monobaths has a monobaths) has to swell or blister the emulsion coating of film. This creates an extremely soft emulsion so that the film 22 and often leads to cracking and peeling of the emulsion. As a result caution must be exercised in the handling of the film in the wet condition. The use of the resilient squeegee means 114 and 116 assures that the film emulsion does not become severely swollen or soft so that the film22 may be safely handled immediately after removal from the developer chamber 100.

In order to prevent any distortion of the developer package 80 as a result of the pressure applied, the squeegee means 114 and 116 are offset as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10. An effective wiper seal is provided. The developer container 90 can expand at the pressure area without distorting the developer package 80.

A simple yet effective means for automatically releasing the fluid from the developer package 80 concurrently with the pulling thereof is disclosed in FIGS. ll-l3. The developer package 80 is provided with at least one laterally extending tab 118 that is heat sealed between the longitudinal edges of the two

opposed layers

92 and 94. Although two tabs 118 are illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, one tab 118 will be sufficiently effective. As the developer package 80 is pulled to the right, the captured tab 118 will remain in place thereby tearing the developer package 80 so that the contents thereof may be discharged into the developer chamber 100 just prior to the arrival of the film 22. To aid in the tearing process of the developer package 80, a starting out 120 may be provided although this is not absolutely essential. In any event the developer package 80 is completely sealed initially. The

transverse ribs

104 and 106 act as barriers to prevent loss of the fluid. Since the developer fluid is sealed in an air-tight package, it can be mixed and filled under nitrogen conditions and then easily stored and handled without oxidation.

As used herein the term developer fluid is generic to all film treating fluids. Similarly, where heat seals have been indicated other equivalent sealing means may be employed. Although the plastic materials have not been specifically identified, it is evident that the proper selection is well within the skill of a competent designer, consistent ,with the usage of the invention, particularly as concerns the film treating fluids and types of seals that are used. In this connection it should be noted that the term plastic includes fibrous material such as paper, for example, wherein a coating of plastic is applied to at least one surface thereof. The

particular plastic selected for either the coating or the sheet itself should be consistent with the ultimate usage thereof namely heat sealing, opacity, imperviousness to a particular fluid, etc.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the invention presently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An improved package for a fluid, film treating composition used with a disposable processor for exposed, light sensitive film, the processor including a rigid container having a chamber in which said package is initially positioned and into which chamber the fluid is adapted to be dispensed when said package is drawn therethrough, said package comprising:

a. an envelope sealingly containing the fluid, film treating composition;

b. tab means integral with a portion of said envelope and secured to the container whereby when said envelope is drawn therefrom said tab means will be torn from said envelope and thereby provide communication between the interior of said envelope and the chamber.

2. The package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said envelope is made from a fluid impervious material.

3. The package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tab means comprises at least one lateral extension of said envelope.

4. The package in accordance with claim 3 wherein said extension includes a starting cut to facilitate the tearing thereof.

5. The package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tab means comprise a lateral extension on each side of said envelope.

6. The package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said envelope further includes a finger gripping extension at the downstream end thereof, said finger gripping extension being normally positioned outside of the container.

7. The package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said envelope further includes means at the upstream end thereof for coupling the film thereto.

8. A disposable processor for exposed, light sensitive film, said processor comprising the combination of:

a. a container having a chamber therein;

b. a developer package positioned in said chamber,

said developer package comprising a sealed, rupturable envelope containing a fluid, film treating composition;

c. tab means integral with a portion of said envelope and secured to said container whereby said envelope is drawn from said chamber said tab is torn to thereby rupture said envelope to permit said fluid to enter said chamber; and

d. means for coupling said envelope to the film whereby the film is positioned in said chamber after said ruptured envelope is drawn from said chamber.

9. The processor in accordance with claim 8 wherein said envelope is made from a fluid impervious material.

10. The processor in accordance with claim 8 rigid container havingachamber in which said package wherein said tab means comprises at least one lateral is initially positioned and into which chamber the fluid extension of said envelope. is adapted to be dispensed when said package is drawn 11. The processor in accordance with claim 10 therethrough, said package comprising: wherein said extension includes a starting cut to a. an envelope sealingly containing the fluid, film facilitate the tearing thereof. treating composition;

12. The processor in accordance with claim 8 b. tab means integral with and extending laterally wherein said tab means comprise a lateral extension on from e h ide Of Said nvelope an ecured t0 he each side of said envelope. container, each said extension including a starting 13. The .processor in accordan e ith lai 12 cut for facilitating the tearing thereof, whereby wherein each said extension includes a starting cut to when Said envelope is drawn from Said Container facilitate the tearing thereof, said tab means will be torn from said envelope and 14. The processor in accordance with claim 8 thereby liimvide communication between the wherein said envelope further includes a finger tel'ior Ofsaid envelope and the Chambgrgripping extension at the downstream end thereof, said 15 The Package in accordan with Claim 1 finger gripping extension being normally positioned wherein Said envelope further includes a finger outside of said c t i gripping extension at the downstream end thereof, said 15. The processor in accordance with claim 8 fingflar pp extension being normally Positioned wherein said envelope further includes means at the Outslde ofthe containe? upstream end thereof for coupling the film thereto. 20 Package accordance Wlth Claim 14 16, A i d package f a fl id fil treating wherein said envelope further includes means at the composition used with a disposable processor for exupstream end thereoffol' Couphng the film thereto posed, light sensitive film, the processor including a

Claims

1. An improved package for a fluid, film treating composition used with a disposable processor for exposed, light sensitive film, the processor including a rigid container having a chamber in which said package is initially positioned and into which chamber the fluid is adapted to be dispensed when said package is drawn therethrough, said package comprising: a. an envelope sealingly containing the fluid, film treating composition; b. tab means integral with a portion of said envelope and secured to the container whereby when said envelope is drawn therefrom said tab means will be torn from said envelope and thereby provide communication between the interior of said envelope and the chamber.

8. A disposable processor for exposed, light sensitive film, said processor comprising the combination of: a. a container having a chamber therein; b. a developer package positioned in said chamber, said developer package comprising a sealed, rupturable envelope containing a fluid, film treating composition; c. tab means integral with a portion of said envelope and secured to said container whereby said envelope is dRawn from said chamber said tab is torn to thereby rupture said envelope to permit said fluid to enter said chamber; and d. means for coupling said envelope to the film whereby the film is positioned in said chamber after said ruptured envelope is drawn from said chamber.

10. The processor in accordance with claim 8 wherein said tab means comprises at least one lateral extension of said envelope.

11. The processor in accordance with claim 10 wherein said extension includes a starting cut to facilitate the tearing thereof.

12. The processor in accordance with claim 8 wherein said tab means comprise a lateral extension on each side of said envelope.

13. The processor in accordance with claim 12 wherein each said extension includes a starting cut to facilitate the tearing thereof.

14. The processor in accordance with claim 8 wherein said envelope further includes a finger gripping extension at the downstream end thereof, said finger gripping extension being normally positioned outside of said container.

15. The processor in accordance with claim 8 wherein said envelope further includes means at the upstream end thereof for coupling the film thereto.

16. An improved package for a fluid, film treating composition used with a disposable processor for exposed, light sensitive film, the processor including a rigid container having a chamber in which said package is initially positioned and into which chamber the fluid is adapted to be dispensed when said package is drawn therethrough, said package comprising: a. an envelope sealingly containing the fluid, film treating composition; b. tab means integral with and extending laterally from each side of said envelope and secured to the container, each said extension including a starting cut for facilitating the tearing thereof, whereby when said envelope is drawn from said container said tab means will be torn from said envelope and thereby provide communication between the interior of said envelope and the chamber.

17. The package in accordance with claim 14 wherein said envelope further includes a finger gripping extension at the downstream end thereof, said finger gripping extension being normally positioned outside of the container.

18. The package in accordance with claim 14 wherein said envelope further includes means at the upstream end thereof for coupling the film thereto.