US3793019A

US3793019A - Film unit

Info

Publication number: US3793019A
Application number: US00268938A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Harvey
Original assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Current assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date: 1972-07-05
Filing date: 1972-07-05
Publication date: 1974-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-19

Abstract

An improved self-processing photographic film unit of the type including an image-recording section separably coupled to a resiliently flexible carrier sheet between a rupturable processing fluid pod and a trap assembly that are permanently affixed to the carrier sheet. Various novel means are employed to facilitate the proper separation of the image-recording section from the carrier sheet during the film processing operation.

Description

United States Patent [191 Harvey [451 Feb. 19, 1974 FILM UNIT [75] Inventor: Donald M. Harvey, Webster, NY.

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

' Rochester, NY.

[22] Filed: July 5, 1972 [21]. Appl. No: 268,938

[52] U.S. Cl. 96/76 R, 96/29 R [51] Int. Cl G03c 1/48 [58] Field of Search 96/76 R, 76 C, 29 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,636,845 1/1972 Harvey 96/76 C 3,680,456 8/1972 Nerwin 96/76 C 3,702,579 11/1972 Nerwin ..96/76C Primary ExaminerNorman G. Torchin Assistant Examiner-John L. Goodrow [5 7] ABSTRACT An improved self-processing photographic film unit of the type including an image-recording section separably coupled to a resiliently flexible carrier sheet between a rupturable processing fluid pod and a trap assembly that are permanently affixed to the carrier sheet. Various novel means are employed to facilitate the proper separation of the image-recording section from the carrier sheet during the film processing operation.

19 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 1 FILM UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to film units of the selfprocessing type, and more specifically to such film units including an image recording section releasably coupled to a resiliently flexible carrier or card.

In my U.S. Pat. applications Ser. Nos. 111,471 and 1 11,467, entitled FILM UNIT and PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, respectively, both filed on Feb. 1, 1971 and now abandoned, a self-processing film unit is disclosed comprising a flexible but resilient carrier releasably coupled to an image-recording section and permanently attached to a container or pod and a collector or trap. The image-recording section is of the preregistered integral type including a photosensitive element for recording a latent image that is processable to establish a visibly presentable image, and a process sheet for confining a processing fluid between the element and sheet to effect processing of the latent image. The container or pod cooperates with the leading end ofthe image-recording section for supplying the processing fluid to that section between the photosensitive element and process sheet, while the collector or trap cooperates in a somewhat similar manner with the trailing end of the image-recording section for receiving any excess of the processing fluid from between the element and sheet, After processing has been initiated, the carrier or card, and the permanently attached container or pod and collector or trap, are separable from the image-recording section to leave the visibly presentable image unencumbered by the separated materials.

. The above-mentioned applications also disclose a processing camera for use with such film units. The camera is especially adapted for separating the carrier, pod and trap from the image-recording section, after the initiation of processing, and for collecting the separated materials to insure their proper disposal: These and other purposes are accomplished by providing the camera with a pair of pressure-applying members including a driven roller for progressively pushing the film unit from between the members and into engagement with a deflecting fender. The fender deflects the 1 carrier, pod and trap into an arcuate path extending toward a collecting chamber, but permits generally straight-line movement of 'the image-recording section along a different path extending toward the camera exterior. Because the film unit is relatively stiff, it will follow this generally straight-line path, rather than the arcuate path, and will thereby be separated from the carrier, pod and trap.

Film units and processing cameras of the abovementioned type are considered satisfactory for their intended purposes, and provide significant advantages not previously obtainable. The applicant now has found, however, that their operation can be still further improved significantly in accordance with the present invention. By way' of example only, it has been found that problems can be encountered in separating the above-mentioned carriers and traps from the trailing end of the image-recording section. After the imagerecording section has been pushed entirely from between the pressure-applying members, but while the trap still is between the members, the image-recording section can stall, and the, trap can be pushed further Similarly, the trap materials tend to affect adversely the proper bending of the carrier and trap into the intended arcuate path, especially at the moment the trap is pulled away from the image-recording section. Still further, the applicant has found that additional and improved features relating to sealing of the film unit can be built into the carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a film unit generally of the above-described type is provided with various features for improving its performance, and especially for improving its operation as the trailing end of the film unit is pushed from between a pair of pressure-applying member's'in associated photographic apparatus. At the same time, it is an object to accomplish the foregoing by simple but reliable means that can be built into the film unit without a significant increase in its cost.

Briefly, these and other related objectives are realized in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention by an improved film unit construction including one or more, and preferably all, of the following features. The carrier is provided with one or more protrusions or abutment surfaces that abut against the trailing end of the image-recording section to prevent sliding relative movement between the image-recording section and the carrier sheet even after other coupling means, such as adhesives, have been separated. The carrier sheet is cut or otherwise provided with one or more tongues that tend to propel the image-recording section further beyond the nip of the pressure-applying members than otherwise would be accomplished by the members themselves. The carrier is weakened at its trailing end portion adjacent to the trap to facilitate proper bending of the carrier and trap into their intended arcuate path. And, in combination with the above, the carrier can be provided with recessed areas or cut-outs that not only provide the propelling tongues and/or abutment surfaces but also facilitate sealing of various portions of the film unit such as the leading and trailing ends of the image-recording section.

Various means for practicing the invention and other advantages and novel features thereof will be apparent from the following detailed description of an illustrative preferred embodiment'of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters denote like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-processing film unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the film unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the construction of the processing fluid container or pod of the subject film unit;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the trailing corners of the illustrative film unit, illustrating theconstruction-of the propelling tongue, the abutment surfaces, the cut-outfor facilitating sealing, and a portion of the fluid-collecting or trap structure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective viewof a film pack containing a plurality of film units of the type illustrated in the preceeding figures, showing the relation of the film pack to the basic components of the film processing mechanism of a camera in which the film pack is installed;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal view of the processing rollers showing the manner in which they cooperate with a film unit to establish the thickness of a layer of processing fluid distributed between the two image-recording sheets;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged'partially cross-sectioned side elevational view of a portion of the structure depicted in FIG. 5, showing the manner in which the processing fluid pod is separated from the image-recording unit of a film unit being processed;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of the processing rollers similar to a portion of FIG. 7 and shows the position of the illustrated propelling tongue as the trailing end of the image-recording unit approaches the processing nip; and

FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 8 and illustrates the separating action of the propelling tongue that occurs as the trailing end of the image-recording section passes beyond the processing nip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Because photographic cameras and film units of the self-processing type are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of or cooperating more directly with the present invention. Cameras and film elements not specifically shown or described herein are selectable from those known in the prior art.

The illustrative film unit 10 illustrated in the accompanying drawings includes an integral preregistered image-recording section 12 comprising a photosensitive element or first sheet 14 and a transparent cover or process sheet 16, which are permanently secured together along their lateral marginal edges 18. This general type of film unit is disclosed in greater detail in my previously mentioned U.S. Pat. applications Ser. Nos. ll 1,467 and l 1 1,471. The term preregistered refers to the fact that the photosensitive sheet and the process sheet are superposed or registered prior to exposure, preferably at some stage during the manufacture of the film unit. The term integral," on the other hand, refers to the fact that the photosensitive sheet and the process sheet are permanently maintained in superposed or registered relation even after processing.

The carrier sheet or card of the film unit is made of resiliently flexible sheet material, such as plastic film base material, and is provided at its leading end with a transverse stiffening bar 22 of the type disclosed in greater detail in my commonly assigned copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,940, entitled FILM I-IAN- DLING IMPROVEMENT and filed on even date herewith. As shown at numeral 24, the lateral edges of the carrier sheet include sprocket perforations adapted to be engaged by sprocket teeth of a drive roller, as described in detail below. Near its trailing end, the imagerecording section is separably bonded to the carrier sheet by a rupturable adhesive material applied at opposed localized regions 26 along the rearwardly facing margins of the photosensitive sheet 14, as best shown in FIG. 2. Although the bonding regions 26 need not be located exactly as shown in FIG. 2, they preferably are spaced by a substantial, distance from the leading edge of the image-recording section and by at least a small distance from the trailing end of that same section.

The two sheets 14 and '16 of the image-recording section preferably are rectangular and coextensive with one another and are permanently joined along their lateral margins, as previously mentioned, whereby their central exposure regions are maintained in registration but may be spread apart sufficiently to permit the distribution of a processing composition therebetween. The image-recording section is exposed through its transparent process sheet 16 and, after processing, is viewed from the opposite side, thus providing a positive right-reading image without recourse to image reversing mirrors or the like in the camera.

The container or pod 28 that initially contains the processing fluid composition is permanently attached to the carrier sheet 20 between the leading end of the image-recording section and the stiffening bar at the leading end of the carrier sheet. As best depicted in FIG. 3, the processing fluid pod comprises a single sheet 30 of a tough vapor-impervious material that is chemically inert to the relatively caustic processing fluid, representative examples of which are disclosed in a number of patent references well known to those skilled in the art of self-processing film units. Typically, the pod sheet 30 comprises a web of paper or plastic laminated to a thin layer of lead foil. Sheet 30 is folded along one edge as shown at numeral 32 and is sealed along its lateral margins 34 by a permanent cement or adhesive or by means of an appropriate heat sealing operation or the equivalent. A rupturable transverse joint or seal 36 extends between the permanently sealed margins 34 of sheet 30 to provide a rupturable seal between th processing fluid chamber 38 and the funnel portion 40 of the pod, the latter being inserted without direct attachment between the leading edges of the photosensitive and process sheets of the imagerecording section. When the processing fluid pod passes through the processing nip defined between the pressure members in the camera, the resulting hydraulic forces developed within chamber 38 cause seal 36 to rupture so that the processing fluid composition is delivered between the two sheets of the imagerecording section through funnel 40.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the trailing edge of the image-recording unit abuts against three small embossed circular protrusions 42 that project from the carrier sheet to a height corresponding to the thickness of the image-recording section. Similar protrusions 44 adjacent to the comers of the trailing end of the imagerecording unit are displaced slightly from protrusions 42 and are intersected by excised regions of the carrier sheet that define separating or propelling tongues 46 and sealing openings 48 adjacent thereto. The leading edges 50 of protrusions 44 are in alignment with the leading edges of protrusions 42 and therefore also abut against the trailing edge of the image-recording section. Tongues 46, however, extend slightly beyond the trailing edge of the image-recording section. The trailing corners of the carrier sheet are notched as shown at numeral 52 and the trailing portion of the sheet between these notches is provided with a plurality of holes or openings 54. The function of these notches is briefly described hereinafter and is disclosed in greater detail in my commonly assigned copending US. Pat. applicaversely as shown at numeral 60. The rearward flap 62 of sheet 58 covers holes 54 in the carrier sheet and is permanently attached to the carrier sheetby an adhesive material surrounding all of those holes as indicated at numeral 64 in 'FIG. 4. The forward flap 66 of sheet 58 is permanently bonded along its lateral edges to the confronting areas of thecarrier sheet and may also be bonded to the embossed protrusions 42, which space the leading edge or lip 68 of the flap slightly away from the carrier sheet so that it overlaps the trailing edge of the image-recording unit. Accordingly, excess processing fluid extruded from between the trailing edges of the photosensitive and process sheets is discharged into the chamber defined between the trap sheet flap 66 and 'the carrier sheet and by the holes in the latter.

A plurality of film units of the type described above are suppliedin a film pack or magazine 70, which is illustrated in FIG. in operative relation to the basic components of the film processing device incorporated in a corresponding camera. The casing 72 of the film pack is made of plastic or sheet metal and includes a forward or film compartment 74 and a rearward or storage compartment 76, partially depicted in FIG. 7. i

The film units 10 are initially housed in the filmcompartment 74 in stacked relation relative to each other. A pressure plate 78 is located rearwardly of the film units in the film compartment and is urged forwardly by resilient leaf springs 80 to compress. the stack of film units lightly against the forward lips 82 of the casing. The forward edge 84 of the film compartment end wall 86 is located slightly rearwardly of the plane defined by the rearward face of the film unit in exposure position and the casing lips 82 terminate beyond wall 86 to provide frontal access openings 88 through which a feeder mechanism can engage tips 90 of the stiffening bar of that film unit. The storage compartment extends beyond the end wall 86 of the film compartment and is provided with a forwardly facing opening 92 through which the waste elements of the film units can be fed into the storage compartment. Initially, an opaque the same means employed to effect corresponding movement of the carrier sheets during the processing of the successive film units. For purposes of clarity, therefore, the film pack is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 with the first available film unit in exposure position and the cover sheet 94 is shown in FIG. 7v in its storage position in the rearward casing compartment.

The housing of the camera is partially depicted at numeral 96 in FIGS. 5, 7, 8 and 9, and is provided with a hinged rearward cover door 98 that can be opened to permit insertion of the film pack into the housing. In its illustrated loaded position, the film pack is engaged by appropriate support surfaces of the housing, not shown, which locate the exposable image-recording unit section in accurate coincidence with a focal plane of the camera lens 100. After the film pack has been loaded into the camera and the cover sheet has been moved into the storage compartment, the leading end of the film unit in exposure position is located in endwise alignment with the processing nip between two processing members, which are depicted as comprising a rearward or drive roller 102 and a forward roller 104.

' The driver roller is rotatably supported in fixed relation to the camera housing by its end shafts 106 and is adapted to be driven in the direction indicated by arrow 108 in FIG. 7 by an appropriate drive mechanism, not shown. The end shafts 110 of forward roller 104 are rotatably carried by a pivotally supported bracket 112 partially illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. A relatively strong spring 114 biases bracket 112 rearwardly to provide a firm but yieldable nip pressure between the two rollers. At each end, the drive roller is provided with sprocket teeth 116 adapted to engage the tips of the stiffening bar and the sprocket perforations of the cover sheet or the film unit being processed to impart longitudinal motion thereto.

After the forwardmost film unit has been exposed, a supplemental feeder device slides it endwise to move its stiffening bar into the roller nip so that the tips 90 of that bar will be engaged :by the sprocket teeth of the concurrently rotating drive roller. As illustrated in FIG.

7, the feeder device can comprise a pair of reciprocable fingers 118 that are engageable with the stiffening bar through the corresponding openings 88 at the end of the casing lips 82, whereby the stiffening bar is pushed into the roller nip when the fingers are moved in unison from the position shown in broken lines to the position shown in solid lines. Because specific details of the feeder device and the mechanism by which that device and the drive roller are actuated are not necessary to understanding the invention, such details have been omitted from the present disclosure.

As soon as the stiffening bar is engaged by the drive roller, the latter imparts endwise movement to the exposed film unit and brings the sprocket perforations of its carrier sheet into driving engagement with the sprocket teeth. Immediately beyond the processing nip, the ends of the stiffening bar encounter the arcuate faces 120 of stationary guide shoes or deflecting fenders 122, which confront the corresponding sprockets of the drive roller to maintain the stiffening bar and the carrier sheet perforations in engagement with those roller 102 is prefectly cylindrical between the two sets of sprocket teeth but that the forward roller 104 is provided with spacer rings 124 at the opposite ends of its cylindrical central portion 126. The spacer rings are adapted to ride along the marginal edges of the imagerecording section being processed and project radially beyond the periphery or central portion of roller 104 by a predetermined distance that establishes the required thickness of the layer, of processing fluid 128 distributed between the two sheets of the imagerecording unit as the latter passes between the rollers. During the passage of the processing fluid pod between the rollers, however, guide rings 124 straddle the edges of the pod so that the full nip pressure is brought to bear on the pod. The resulting internal hydraulic pressure ruptures the pod seal along the funnel and allows the processing fluid to be squeezed out of the pod and through the funnel so that it enters between the leading edges of the photosensitive sheet and the process sheet. Upon movement of the leading end of the imagerecording section between the rollers, two pressureapplying openings 130 provided in the carrier sheet behind the respective leading corners of the imagerecording unit allow the spacer rings of roller 104 to displace those corners rearwardly, whereby the processing fluid is completely squeezed out of the space between the photosensitive and processing sheet immediately adjacent to the leading edge of the imagerecording section. As soon as the carrier sheet has moved openings 130 beyond the rollers, however, the spacer rings establish the thickness of the layer of processing fluid distributed across the exposed portion of the photosensitive sheet in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6.

As the leading end of the image-recording unit emerges through the processing nip, its inherent stiffness causes it to continue to move in a substantially flat plane as shown in FIG. 7. Accordingly, the funnel of the processing fluid pod is pulled out from between the photosensitive and process sheets by the movement of the pod around the drive roller. The confronting surfaces along the leading edges of the photosensitive and process sheets can be provided with an adhesive material that is inert until it is moistened by the processing fluid, thus causing those edges to adhere to each other to provide a tight seal that prevents leakage of the processing fluid from that end of the image-recording section. After the pod has separated from the imagerecording section, the continuing endwise movement of the latter causes it to enter slot 132 in the camera housing and to emerge from the camera through that slot.

By the time the two opposed adhesion areas 26 emerge beyond the processing nip, the leading end of the image-recording section has emerged from the camera through slot 132. Therefore, the movement of the carrier sheet around roller 102 positively ruptures the adhesive bond between the carrier sheet and the image-recording section without diverting the latter significantly from its proper movement path. After the adhesive connection has been ruptured, the carrier sheet is no longer positively engaged with the imagerecording section but the latter continues to be pushed through the processing nip by'protrusions or abutment surfaces 42 and 44 in abutment with its rearward edge behind the overlapping leading edge or lip 68 of the trap sheet 58. As the trailing end of the imagerecording unit enters the nip, pressure-applying openings 48 in the carrier sheet move into alignment with the respective guide rings at the ends of processing roller 104, thereby allowing the latter to compress the trailing corners of the image-recording section into those openings so that processing fluid is squeezed out from between the corresponding confronting regions of the photosensitive and process sheets and is extruded into the excess processing fluid trap. As previously mentioned, in connection with its leading end, the confronting sheet surfaces at the trailing edge of the imagerecording section can also be provided with a moisturesensitive adhesive to provide a seal that prevents additional processing fluid from leaking out of that section after its processing has been completed.

During the final movement of the image-recording section through the processing nip, separating or propelling tongues 46 are bowed along the cylindrical surface of drive roller 102, as illustrated in FIG. 8. As soon as the trailing edge of the image-recording section emerges beyond the nip, however, the separating tongues immediately snap back to their original flat condition due to their inherent resiliency and thereby propel the image-recording section away from

protrusions

42 and 44 and further into slot 132, as shown in FIG. 9. Accordingly, the trailing edge of the imagerecording section is completely separated from the overlapping flat lip 68 of the trap sheet before the trap starts to move around the drive roller. This separating action is also facilitated by the weakening of the end portion of the carrier sheet by means of holes 54, which allow the relatively stiff trap portion of the film unit to conform more easily to the curvature of roller 102 as the trap passes through the roller nip.

As the carrier sheet is pushed into the storage compartment by the rotation of the driving roller, it is urged rearwardly by relatively weak resilient springs 134, shown in FIG. 7, which urge the stack of waste elements in the storage compartment against the back wall 136 of casing 72. By the time the rotation of roller 102 has driven the carrier sheet beyond engagement with the sprockets at the ends of that roller, notches 52 at the trailing end of that sheet are aligned with the ends of the arcuate guide shoefaces 120. The inherent resiliency of the carrier sheet .and the influence of springs 134 therefore cause the trap to move rearwardly between the guide shoes and into the portion of the storage compartment located behind roller 102. This insures that the leading .end of the carrier sheet of the succeeding film unit will properly enter the storage compartment forwardly of the waste elements of the preceding film unit as the same process just described is again repeated. Thus, it will be apparent that each film unit, in turn, is exposed and processed and that all of the excess components of the film units are returned to the film pack casing, which is then discarded.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to an illustrative preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appended. claims.

I claim:

1. A self-processing film unit comprising:

an image-recording section having an end and including a photosensitive element adapted for exposure and processing to record a photographically useful image; and

a carrier releasably coupled to said image-recording section, said carrier including resilient means for applying an endwise force to said image-recording section tending to produce relative movement between said section and said carrier, and thereby urge said section away from said carrier, when said carrier is bent into an arcuate configuration.

2. A film unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said film unit defines a longitudinal direction in which said image-recording section is movable during the processing, and wherein a major component of said force is exerted in said direction.

3. A film unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier is resiliently flexible, and wherein said resilient means comprises a tongue defined by a portion of said carrier adjacent to said end of said image-recording section. v

4. A self-processing film unit comprising:

an integral image-recording section including a ph tosensitive element, for recording alatent image that is processable by a processing fluid to establish a visibly presentable image, and a process sheet for aiding in distributing the processing fluid between said element and said sheet;

a container separably coupled to said imagerecording section for supplying the processing fluid to said section between said element and said sheet;

a carrier separably coupled to said image-recording section and permanently attached to said container for facilitating handling of said section and said container; and

means on said carrier and responsive to bending of said carrier into an arcuate configuration for applying a force to said image-recording section tending to aid in separating said section from said carrier.

5. A film unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said force applying means comprises a resilient portion of said carrier that flexes to apply said force to said imagerecording section when said carrier is bent into said arcuate configuration.

6. A film unit as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a trap separably coupled to said image-recording section for receiving any excess of the processing fluid from said section, and wherein said force applying means is located adjacent to said trap to aid in separating said section from said trap.

7. A film unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said image-recording section defines a trailing end, wherein said carrier is resiliently flexible, and wherein said force applying means includes a tongue defined by said carrier and engageable with said trailing end to apply said force to said image-recording section when said carrier is bent into said arcuate configuration.

8. A film unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said image-recording section defines a trailing end, wherein said carrier extends under said section and beyond said trailing end, and wherein said carrier is provided with an abutment surface located to abut against said trailing end to prevent relative sliding movement between said section and said carrier in one direction.

9. A film unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said image-recording section'includes a trail-ing end portion, wherein said carrier comprises a resilient, normally flat sheet, wherein said sheet'extends under said section and beyond said trailing. end portion, wherein said sheet defines a resilient, normally flat tongue comprising said force applying means, and wherein said tongue initially is located in parallel confronting relation with and under said trailing end portion and extends slightly beyond said trailing end portion.

10. A self-processing film unit comprising:

an integral image-recording section including a photosensitive element for recording a processable 1atent image and a process sheet permanently attached to said element for confining a processing composition between said element and said sheet during. processing of the latent image, said imagerecording section defining a longitudinal first direc- '10 tion in which said section is movable to initiate the processing;

a resilientlyflexible carrier releasably coupled to said image-recording section to facilitate handling of said section, said carrier including a portion thereof defining resilient means for moving said section in said first direction in response to flection of said portion in a second direction divergent from said first direction; and

a protrusion on said carrier engageable with said image-recording section to prevent movement of said section relative to said carrier in a third direction opposite to said first direction.

11. A self-processing film unit comprising:

an integral image-recording section including a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image and a process sheet permanently attached to said element for confining a processing composition between said element and said sheet during processing of the latent image, said imagerecording section having a leading end and a trailing end defining alongitudinal direction in which said film unit is movable endwise to initiate the processing; i

a resilient carrier disposed under said imagerecording section and including a final portion extending beyond said trailing end; and

means defined by said carrier and including an abutment surface engageable with said trailing end for preventing sliding movement of said imagerecording section relative to said carrier in a direction toward said final portion.

12. A film unit as claimed in claim 11 wherein said carrier supports a container adjacent to said leading end for supplying theprocessing composition to said image-recording section between said element and said sheet, wherein said final portion of said carrier supports a trap for receiving any excess of the processing composition from said section, and wherein said abutment surface prevents sliding movement of said section relative to said carrier in a direction toward said trap.

13. A film unit as claimed in claim 12 wherein said abutment surface is defined by a surface irregularity on said carrier.

14. A self-processing film unit comprising:

an image-recording sectionincluding a photosensitive sheet and a process sheet permanently connected together along their lateral margins in superposed relation relative to each other, said image-recording section defining leading and trailing ends and two faces; a resilient flexible carrier sheet confronting one of said faces and extending beyond said leading end;

rupturable coupling means separably coupling said image-recording section to said carrier sheet, said coupling means being spaced from said leading end toward said trailing end to permit bending of said carrier sheet away from said leading end without rupturing said coupling means; and cooperating abutment surfaces on said carrier sheet and said image-recording section engaged one with another to prevent sliding relative movement in one direction between said section and said carrier sheet after said coupling means is ruptured. 15. A film unit as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a processing fluid container permanently attached to said carrier sheet adjacent to said leading end of said image-recording section, said container including fluid conducting means in easily separable communication with said leading end to permit said container to be easily separated from said image-recording section after processing fluid from said container has been conducted through said fluid conducting means and thereby introduced between said photosensitive and process sheets of said image-recording section.

16. A film unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein one of said abutment surfaces comprises a protrusion on said carrier sheet. i

17. A film unit as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a trap sheet permanently joined to said carrier sheet adjacent to said trailing end of said image recording section to define a fluid receiving chamber for receiving any excess of the processing fluid emitted from between said photosensitive and process sheets at said trailing end.

18. A film unit as claimed in claim 17 wherein said trap sheet extends over said protrusion and overlaps said trailing end.

19. A film unit as claimed in claim 18 wherein said trailing end defines a predetermined thickness, wherein a portion of said trap sheet is permanently bonded to said protrusion, and wherein said portion is spaced from said carrier sheet by a distance approximately equal to said thickness.

Claims

2. A film unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said film unit defines a longitudinal direction in which said image-recording section is movable during the processing, and wherein a major component of said force is exerted in said direction.
3. A film unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier is resiliently flexible, and wherein said resilient means comprises a tongue defined by a portion of said carrier adjacent to said end of said image-recording section.
4. A self-processing film unit comprising: an integral image-recording section including a photosensitive element, for recording a latent image that is processable by a processing fluid to establish a visibly presentable image, and a process sheet for aiding in distributing the processing fluid between said element and said sheet; a container separably coupled to said image-recording section for supplying the processing fluid to said section between said element and said sheet; a carrier separably coupled to said image-recording section and permanently attached to said container for facilitating handling of said section and said container; and means on said carrier and responsive to bending of said carrier into an arcuate configuration for applying a force to said image-recording section tending to aid in separating said section from said carrier.
5. A film unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said force applying means comprises a resilient portion of said carrier that flexes to apply said force to said image-recording section when said carrier is bent into said arcuate configuration.
6. A film unit as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a trap separably coupled to said image-recording section for receiving any excess of the processing fluid from said section, and wherein said force applying means is located adjacent to said trap to aid in separating said section from said trap.
7. A film unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said image-recording section defines a trailing end, wherein said carrier is resiliently flexible, and wherein said force applying means includes a tongue defined by said carrier and engageable with said trailing end to apply said force to said image-recording section when said carrier is bent into said arcuate configuration.
8. A film unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said image-recording section defines a trailing end, wherein said carrier extends under said section and beyond said trailing end, and wherein said carrier is provided with an abutment surface located to abut against said trailing end to prevent relative sliding movement between said section and said carrier in one direction.
9. A film unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said image-recording section includes a trail-ing end portion, wherein said carrier comprises a resilient, normally flat sheet, wherein said sheet extends under said section and beyond said trailing end portion, wherein said sheet defines a resilient, normally flat tongue comprising said force applying means, and wherein said tongue initially is located in parallel confronting relation with and under said trailing end portion and extends slightly beyond said trailing end portion.
10. A self-processing film unit comprising: an integral image-recording section including a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image and a process sheet permanently attached to said element for confining a processing composition between said element and said sheet during processing of the latent image, said image-recording section defining a longitudinal first direction in which said section is movable to initiate the processing; a resiliently flexible carrier releasably coupled to said image-recording section to facilitate handling of said section, said carrier including a portion thereof defining resilient means for moving said section in said first direction in response to fleCtion of said portion in a second direction divergent from said first direction; and a protrusion on said carrier engageable with said image-recording section to prevent movement of said section relative to said carrier in a third direction opposite to said first direction.
11. A self-processing film unit comprising: an integral image-recording section including a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image and a process sheet permanently attached to said element for confining a processing composition between said element and said sheet during processing of the latent image, said image-recording section having a leading end and a trailing end defining a longitudinal direction in which said film unit is movable endwise to initiate the processing; a resilient carrier disposed under said image-recording section and including a final portion extending beyond said trailing end; and means defined by said carrier and including an abutment surface engageable with said trailing end for preventing sliding movement of said image-recording section relative to said carrier in a direction toward said final portion.
12. A film unit as claimed in claim 11 wherein said carrier supports a container adjacent to said leading end for supplying the processing composition to said image-recording section between said element and said sheet, wherein said final portion of said carrier supports a trap for receiving any excess of the processing composition from said section, and wherein said abutment surface prevents sliding movement of said section relative to said carrier in a direction toward said trap.
13. A film unit as claimed in claim 12 wherein said abutment surface is defined by a surface irregularity on said carrier.
14. A self-processing film unit comprising: an image-recording section including a photosensitive sheet and a process sheet permanently connected together along their lateral margins in superposed relation relative to each other, said image-recording section defining leading and trailing ends and two faces; a resilient flexible carrier sheet confronting one of said faces and extending beyond said leading end; rupturable coupling means separably coupling said image-recording section to said carrier sheet, said coupling means being spaced from said leading end toward said trailing end to permit bending of said carrier sheet away from said leading end without rupturing said coupling means; and cooperating abutment surfaces on said carrier sheet and said image-recording section engaged one with another to prevent sliding relative movement in one direction between said section and said carrier sheet after said coupling means is ruptured.
15. A film unit as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a processing fluid container permanently attached to said carrier sheet adjacent to said leading end of said image-recording section, said container including fluid conducting means in easily separable communication with said leading end to permit said container to be easily separated from said image-recording section after processing fluid from said container has been conducted through said fluid conducting means and thereby introduced between said photosensitive and process sheets of said image-recording section.
16. A film unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein one of said abutment surfaces comprises a protrusion on said carrier sheet.
17. A film unit as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a trap sheet permanently joined to said carrier sheet adjacent to said trailing end of said image-recording section to define a fluid receiving chamber for receiving any excess of the processing fluid emitted from between said photosensitive and process sheets at said trailing end.
18. A film unit as claimed in claim 17 wherein said trap sheet extends over said protrusion and overlaps said trailing end.
19. A film unit as claimed in claim 18 wherein said trailing end defines a predetermined thickness, wherein a portion oF said trap sheet is permanently bonded to said protrusion, and wherein said portion is spaced from said carrier sheet by a distance approximately equal to said thickness.