US3714881A

US3714881A - Single use film developer and rupturable seal therefor

Info

Publication number: US3714881A
Application number: US00077778A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Bowlby
Original assignee: J Bowlby
Current assignee: Scopas Technology Corp
Priority date: 1970-10-05
Filing date: 1970-10-05
Publication date: 1973-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-06

Abstract

Light-sealed holder means are disclosed for releasably packaging a length of film. The light seal of the film holder which is readily rupturable is made by heat sealing a folded over corner of the plastic that forms the holder.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Bowlby 1451 Feb. 6, 1 973 1 SINGLE USE FI LM DEVELOPER AND 3,280,718 l/l966 Decrop ..95/90 RUPTURABLE SEAL THEREFOR 3,195,436 7/l965 Decrop 3095/90 9 3,443,093 5/1969 Lindenmuth et al. ..25()/69 [76] Jam's 124 1 67 972 6 1930 G- 1- ..95/90 x Road, Bloomingdale, NJ. 07627 I .[22] Filed: on. 5, 1970 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlO NS I. l,l08,78l 4/1968 Great Britain ..'.,...250/69 [21] Appl' 77778 1,133,241 7/1962 Germany ..250/68 [52] US. Cl. ..95/89 R, 95/13, 96/76, Primary Examinepdohn Hora" I Cl Gogjggg Assistant ExaminerRichard'L. Moses n I I 6 6 6 A t L H. K' [58] Field 61 Search ..95/s9 R, 89 L, 90, 13; mg

250/65 R, 68, 69, 96/76 R [57] ABSTRACT- I [56] References Cited Light-sealed holder means a1'e disclosed for rele asably packaging a length of film, The light seal of'the film UNIFED STATES PATENTS holder which is readily rupturable is made by heat 2,071,110 2/1937 Burke ..250/69 sealing a folded cfaver corner of the plastic tha1'f0r1ns 3,348,042 lO/l967 Umberg et al... .....250/68 the holder. 3,] 19,0l5 l/l964 Kollock 250/68 7 2,500,422 3/ I950 Land ..250/65 X 18Claims, 14 Drawing Figures- PATENTEDFEB 6 197a SHEET 2 OF 3 1/ 7 sag g FIG. 6

A, 120 FIG. 11

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By W

ATTORNEY SINGLE USE FILM DEVELOPER AND RUPTURABLE SEAL THEREFOR This invention relates generally to the photographic 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 darkroom 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. 760,231, 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. 3,379,879 issued to E. T. 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 of an opaque, pliable envelope is folder over. Initially,

the film envelope is contained in an opaque, rigid plastic outer pack. The film envelope is made of a thermoplastic material so that the vent hole" that normally occurs injthe corner of the envelope can be sealed by the application of heat to the corner of the envelope. The seal of the envelope is very small and is readily ruptured when the film is drawn outwardly by means to be described hereinafter.

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.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved, light-tight film holder for the developing pack described above.

A feature of this invention is that a light-tight seal is provided on the improved film holder described above by means of an easily rupturable heat seal. 1

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will, in part, be pointed out with particularity 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 4--4 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 container 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 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 the film almost completely positioned within the rigid developer container.

Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIGS. l-4, there is shown the film holder portion 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 beprovided 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 filmholder 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 corners 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 wouldbe 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. SA 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 corners to close the vent holes by means of the two heat sealed lines .42extending from the end 36to the side edges 38.

Inorder 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 suitable secured between the layers 50 at the free end thereof so as to extend through the registered openings 52.

. 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. I

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 54 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'll0 (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 outer 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 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 ll2b. Resilient squeegee means 114 and 116 are secured in the recesses 112a and 1121; respectively, in 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 tendency to swell or blister the emulsion coating of film. This creates an extremely soft emulsion and often leads to cracking and peeling of the emulsion. As a result, caution must be exercised in the I 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 film 22 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 meansv for automatically releasing the fluid from the developer package 80 concurrently with the pulling thereof is disclosed in FIGS. 11-13. 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 airtight 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 materials 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 for 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:

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

a. a developer section having entry and exit ends and a developer chamber therebetween;

b. a frangible developer package positioned within said developer chamber, said developer package containing a supply of a fluid, film treating composition;

c. a light tight film holder comprising a pair of opposed, opaque layers sealed to each other along a portion of the periphery thereof to define an envelope having an open end that is unsealed for the removal of the film therefrom;

d. an extension integral with one of said layers, said extension being folded over said other layer at said unsealed end thereof; and

e. means for frangibly sealing a portion of said folded over extension to said layer thereunder whereby the interior of said film holder is light tight and said frangible seal is easily broken for the removal of the film.

2. The processor in accordance with claim 1 wherein said layers are substantially rectangular in area and said peripheral seal is along the two opposed side edges and one end thereof, said extension being folded over the remaining end.

3. The processor in accordance with claim 2 wherein said frangible sealing means extend from the end defined by said folded over extension to a side edge of said layers.

4. The processor in accordance with claim 2 wherein said layers are plastic and said frangible sealing means are a pair of heat sealed lines extending from the end defined by said folded over extension to both said side edges of said layers of plastic.

5. The processor in accordance with claim 2 wherein said frangible sealing means are defined by diagonal lines extending from said folded over extension to said side edges, said diagonal lines being substantially closer to the juncture of said folded over extension and said side edges than to the center of said film holder.

6. The processor in accordance with claim 1 further including a rigid container therefor, said container having an opening at one end thereof, said film holder including a flexible tab secured to one end of the film and a rigid member secured to the free end of said tab, said folded extension and said tab defining an S-shaped bend with said rigid member extending through the opening in said container and being arranged for engaging the means for pulling the film through the fluid composition for treating the film.

7. The processor in accordance with claim 6 wherein said rigid tab extends in a direction opposite to that of ultimate film movement whereby when said tab is pulled towards the fluid composition said S-bend unfolds and the film breaks the frangible sealing means.

8. For use with a disposable processor for exposed, light sensitive film the processor being of the type including a compartment containing a fluid composition for treating the film and means for pulling the film through the compartment, a light-tight film holder comprising:

a. a pair of opposed, opaque layers sealed to each other along a portion'of the periphery thereof to define an envelope having an end that is unsealed for the removal of the film therefrom;

. an extension integral with one or said layers, said extension being folded over said other layer at said unsealed end thereof; and

c. means for frangibly sealing a portion of said folded over extension to said layer thereunder, said frangible sealing means being defined by diagonal lines extending from said folded-over extension to said side edges, said diagonal lines being substantially closer to the juncture of said folded-over extension and said side edges than to thecenter of said film holder whereby the interior of said film holder is light-tight and said frangible seal is easily broken for the removal of the film.

9. The film holder in accordance with claim 8 further including a rigid container therefor, said container having an opening at one end thereof, said film holder including a flexible tab secured to one end of the film and a rigid member secured to the free end of said tab, said folded extension and said tab defining an S-shaped bend with said rigid member extending through the opening in said container and being arranged for engagingthe means for pulling the film through the fluid composition for treating the film.

10. The film holder in accordance with claim 9 wherein said rigid tab extends in a direction opposite to that of ultimate film movement whereby-when said tab is pulled towards the fluid composition said S-bend unfolds and the film breaks and frangible sealing means.

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

a. a developer section having entry and exit ends and a developer chamber therebetween; b. a frangible developer package positioned within said developer chamber, said developer package 1 containing asupply of fluid, film treating composition;

0. a light-tight film holder comprising a pair of opposed, substantially rectangular opaque layers sealed to each other along two opposed side edges and one end thereof to define an envelope having an open end that is unsealed for the removal of the film therefrom;

. an extension integral with one of said layers, said extension being folded over said other layer at said unsealed end thereof; and

e. ineans fc-r frangibly sealing a portion of said folded-over extension to said layer thereunder whereby the interior of said film holder is lighttight and said frangible seal is easily broken for the removal of the film.

12. The processor in accordance with claim 11 wherein said frangible sealing means extend from the end defined by said folded-over extension to a side edge of said layers.

13. The processor in accordance with claim 11 wherein said layers are plastic and said frangible sealing means are a pair of heat sealed lines extending from the end defined by said folded-over extension to both said side edges of said layers of plastic.

14. The processor in accordance with claim 11 wherein said frangible sealing means are defined by diagonal lines extending from said folded-over extension to said side edges, said diagonal lines being substantially closer to the juncture of said folded-over extension and said side edges than to the center of said film holder.

15. The processor in accordance with claim 11 further including a rigid container therefor, said container having an opening at one end thereof, said film holder including a flexible tab secured to one end of the film and a rigid member secured to the free end of said tab, said folded extension and said tab defining an S- shaped bend with said rigid member extending through the opening in said container and being arranged for engaging the means for pulling the film through the fluid composition for treating the film.

16. The processor in accordance with claim 15 wherein said rigid tab extends in a direction opposite to that of ultimate film movement whereby when said tab vis pulled towards the fluid composition said S-bend unfolds and the film breaks the frangible sealing means.

17. For use with a disposable processor for exposed,

light-sensitive film, the processor being of the type including a compartment containing a fluid composition for treating the film and means for pulling the film through the compartment, a light-tight film holder comprising:

a. a pair of opposed, substantially rectangular opaque layers sealed to each other along the two opposed side edges and one end thereof to define an envelope having an end that is unsealed for the removal of the film therefrom;

. an extension integral with one of said layers, said extension being folded over said other layer at said remaining unsealed end thereof; and

c. means for frangibly sealing a portion of said folded-over extension to said layer thereunder whereby the interior of said film is light-tight and said frangible seal is easily broken for the removal of the film, said frangible sealing means being defined by diagonal lines extended from said folded-over extension to said side edges, said diagonal lines being substantially closer to the juncture of said folded-over extension and said side edges than to the center of said film holder.

18. For use with a disposable processor for exposed,

a. a pair of opposed, opaque layers sealed to each other along a portion of the periphery thereof to define an envelope having an end that is unsealed for the removal of the film therefrom;

b. an extension integral with one of said layers, said extension being folded over said other layer at said unsealed end thereof; 7

c. means for frangibly sealing a portion of said folded-over extension to said layer thereunder whereby the interior of said film holder is lighttight and said frangible seal is easily broken for the removal of the film; and

d. a rigid container for said film holder, said container having an opening at one end thereof, said film holder including a flexible tab secured to one end of the film and a rigid member secured to the free end of said tab, said folded-over extension and said tab defining an S-shaped bend with said rigid member extending through the opening in said

Claims

1. A disposable processor for exposed, light sensitive film, said processor comprising the combination of: a. a developer section having entry and exit ends and a developer chamber therebetween; b. a frangible developer package positioned within said developer chamber, said developer package containing a supply of a fluid, film treating composition; c. a light tight film holder comprising a pair of opposed, opaque layers sealed to each other along a portion of the periphery thereof to define an envelope having an open end that is unsealed for the removal of the film therefrom; d. an extension integral with one of said layers, said extension being folded over said other layer at said unsealed end thereof; and e. means for frangibly sealing a portion of said folded over extension to said layer thereunder whereby the interior of said film holder is light tight and said frangible seal is easily broken for the removal of the film.

8. For use with a disposable processor for exposed, light sensitive film the processor being of the type including a compartment containing a fluid composition for treating the film and means for pulling the film through the compartment, a light-tight film holder comprising: a. a pair of opposed, opaque layers sealed to each other along a portion of the periphery thereof to define an envelope having an end that is unsealed for the removal of the film therefrom; b. an extension integral with one or said layers, said extension being folded over said other layer at said unsealed end thereof; and c. means for frangibly sealing a portion of said folded over extension to said layer thereunder, said frangible sealing means being defined by diagonal lines extending from said folded-over extension to said side edges, said diagonal lines being substantially closer to the juncture of said folded-over extension and said side edges than to the center of said film holder whereby the interior of said film holder is light-tight and said frangible seal is easily broken for the removal of the film.

9. The film holder in accordance with claim 8 further including a rigid container therefor, said container having an opening at one end thereof, said film holder including a flexible tab secured to one end of the film and a rigid member secured to the free end of said tab, said folded extension and said tab defining an S-shaped bend with said rigid member extending through the opening in said container and being arranged for engaging the means for pulling the film through the fluid composition for treating the film.

10. The film holder in accordance with claim 9 wherein said rigid tab extends in a direction opposite to that of ultimate film movement whereby when said tab is pulled towards the fluid composition said S-bend unfolds and the film breaks and frangible sealing means.

11. A disposable processor for exposed, light-tight sensitive film, said processor comprising the combination of: a. a developer section having entry and exit ends and a developer chamber therebetween; b. a frangible developer package positioned within said developer chamber, said developer package containing a supply of fluid, film treating composition; c. a light-tight film holder comprising a pair of opposed, substantially rectangular opaque layers sealed to each other along two opposed side edges and one end thereof to define an envelope having an open end that is unsealed for the removal of the film therefrom; d. an extension integral with one of said layers, said extension being folded over said other layer at said unsealed end thereof; and e. means for frangibly sealing a portion of said folded-over extension to said layer thereunder whereby the interior of said film holder is light-tight and said frangible seal is easily broken for the removal of the film.

15. The processor in accordance with claim 11 further including a rigid container therefor, said container having an opening at one end thereof, said film holder including a flexible tab secured to one end of the film and a rigid member secured to the free end of said tab, said folded extension and said tab defining an S-shaped bend with said rigid member extending through the opening in said container and being arranged for engaging the means for pulling the film through the fluid composition for treating the film.

16. The processor in accordance with claim 15 wherein said rigid tab extends in a direction opposite to that of ultimate film movement whereby when said tab is pulled towards the fluid composition said S-bend unfolds and the film breaks the frangible sealing means.

17. For use with a disposable processor for exposed, light-sensitive film, the processor being of the type including a compartment containing a fluid composition for treating the film and means for pulling the film through the compartment, a light-tight film holder comprising: a. a pair of opposed, substantially rectangular opaque layers sealed to each other along the two opposed side edges and one end thereof to define an envelope having an end that is unsealed for the removal of the film therefrom; b. an extension integral with one of said layers, said extension being folded over said other layer at said remaining unsealed end thereof; and c. means for frangibly sealing a portion of said folded-over extension to said layer thereunder whereby the interior of said film is light-tight and said frangible seal is easily broken for the removal of the film, said frangible sealing means being defined by diagonal lines extended from said folded-over extension to said side edges, said diagonal lines being substantially closer to the juncture of said folded-over extension and said side edges than to the center of said film holder.