US3804626A - Photographic film unit - Google Patents

Photographic film unit Download PDF

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Publication number
US3804626A
US3804626A US00268932A US26893272A US3804626A US 3804626 A US3804626 A US 3804626A US 00268932 A US00268932 A US 00268932A US 26893272 A US26893272 A US 26893272A US 3804626 A US3804626 A US 3804626A
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Prior art keywords
image
film unit
recording section
processing
sheet
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00268932A
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English (en)
Inventor
D Harvey
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Eastman Kodak Co
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Eastman Kodak Co
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Publication date
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Priority to US00268932A priority Critical patent/US3804626A/en
Priority to DE19732333652 priority patent/DE2333652A1/de
Priority to GB3205773A priority patent/GB1448283A/en
Priority to JP48075323A priority patent/JPS4945727A/ja
Priority to FR7324656A priority patent/FR2191154B1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3804626A publication Critical patent/US3804626A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
    • G03C8/00—Diffusion transfer processes or agents therefor; Photosensitive materials for such processes
    • G03C8/42—Structural details
    • G03C8/44—Integral units, i.e. the image-forming section not being separated from the image-receiving section
    • G03C8/46—Integral units, i.e. the image-forming section not being separated from the image-receiving section characterised by the trapping means or gas releasing means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D9/00—Diffusion development apparatus
    • G03D9/02—Diffusion development apparatus using rupturable ampoules of liquid

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A self-processing film unit including an imagerecording section, a container for supplying a processing fluid to the image-recording section, and a resiliently flexible carrier permanently attached to the container and separably coupled at its trailing end to the leading end of the image-recording section.
  • the carrier and container are especially adapted to be separated from the image-recording section by deflecting fenders that are spaced in a cooperating camera to engage the lateral edges of the carrier and to bend the carrier with its container into an arcuate path of movement diverging from the image-recording section.
  • the carrier is notched in both lateral edges at its trailing end, which provides a skirt of reduced transverse dimension that will straighten from the arcuate path and move between the deflecting fenders at approximately the same time the carrier and container are separated from the image-recording section.
  • the carrier will move itself and the container under the forces of the carriers own resiliency to a position where it will not interfere with similarmovement of a next successive film unit, and preferably to a generally flat position in a waste-collecting chamber of the camera or a corresponding cartridge in which the film unit was supplied.
  • the present invention relates to instant photography
  • self-processing film units having a first part, such as an image-recording section, and a second part, such as processing materials, that are mutually separable after the initiation of processing.
  • the film units each include a container of processing fluid that is releasably coupled to an image-recording section by a resiliently flexible carrier.
  • the camera is adapted to receive and expose a plurality of the film units, and to process the units sequentially, by effecting their endwise movement between a pair of pressure-applying members that distribute the processing fluid from the container across the image-recording section.
  • the carrier As the leading end of the film unit exits from between the members, the carrier is engaged by spaced deflectors that bend the carrier and container around one of the pressure-applying members for movement toward a storage compartment located behind the remaining unexposed film units.
  • the image-recording section is sufficiently stiff to resist such bending, however, and is moved along a preferably rectilinear path to a position accessible from the camera exterior. In this manner, the carrier and container are stripped from the image-recording section, and delivered to the storage-compartment, while the image-recording section is ejected at least partially from the camera.
  • Film units and cameras of the above-mentioned type are believed to be quite satisfactory for their intended purposes, and provide many significant advantages not obtainable with previously known structures.
  • the image-recording or print section can be made accessible outside the camera almost immediately after its exposure. While processing may not be completed as quickly, the accessible print is otherwise in substantially final physical form with at least certain of the processing materials removed. Still, as will become more apparent from the following description, there is room in the above-mentioned film units and cameras for significant and surprising improvements.
  • the cameras disclosed in the above-identified applications include mechanisms for continuing the application of driving forces to the carrier beyond the nip between the pressure-applying members.
  • a self-processing film unit includes a first part, comprising an image-recording section, and a second part, comprising certain processing materials, that are separably coupled together for the initiation of processing.
  • the second part defines longitudinally extending lateral edges that are notched or cut away adjacent to their trailing ends, and is constructed 'to straighten itself at least to some significant extent after being bent into an arcuate configuration that is effective to separate the first and second parts.
  • the notched or cut-away areas define a skirt of reduced transverse dimension that can pass between a pair of fenders spaced to en gage the lateral edges of the second part.
  • the film unit has particular utility in photographic apparatus, such as a processing camera, having a pair of pressure-applying members that define a nip therebetween through which the film unit is movable to effect its processing.
  • the fenders are located to bend the second part of the film unit into the arcuate configuration as the film unit exits from the nip between the members. This causes movement of the second film unit part along a path that diverges from the first part and brings about its separation from the first part.
  • the notched or cut-out portion of the second film unit part is approximately equal in its longitudinal dimension to the arcuate length of the fenders so the leading ends of the notches will drop ofi one end of the fenders at the same time the trailing ends of the notches move between the opposite ends of the fenders.
  • the separable processing materials include a flexible carrier having sufficient resiliency to provide the straightening forces in the second part of the film unit.
  • the carrier is permanently attached to a container for supplying a processing fluid to the imagerecording section, and the separable coupling is between the trailing end of the carrier and the leading end of the image-recording section.
  • the carrier is permanently attached to a trap for collecting excess processing fluid from the image-recording section, and the separable coupling is between the trailing end of the carrier and the trailing end of the image-recording section.
  • the second film unit part is constructed, and its resiliency is sufficient, to straighten itself and rotate its trailing end through an approximate amount approaching 180 from the nip between the pressure-applying members to a waste-collecting chamber in a film pack or the apparatus in which it is used.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a selfprocessing film unit in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention with portions broken away to present various elements of the film unit.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the film unit depicted in FIG. 1, including a representation of possible adhesive areas, or the like, for maintaining the film unit elements in their assembled condition.
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of the film unit depicted in FIG. I with portions broken away to illustrate the relative locations and alignment of the film unit elements.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the section line 44 in FIG. 3.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial cross-sectional views generally corresponding to FIG. 4 but respectively depicting only portions of the heading and trailing ends of the film unit to illustrate the operation of certain film unit elements during processing of the film unit.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view generally corresponding to FIG. 4 but illustrating the film unit in a condition after the completion of processing when processing materials have been separated from the leading and trailing ends of an image-recording section thereof to provide an unencumbered final print.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a film pack including a plurality of the film units depicted in the preceeding figures. Portions of the film pack casing are shown broken away to present locating and feeding elements of the illustrated structure.
  • FIG. 9 is an exploded view representing the film pack depicted in FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the film pack taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 8, with a central section removed to illustrate an assemblage of the film units as they would appear after a protective cover or dark slide has been removed and one of the film units has been processed.
  • FIG. 11 is a partial view of the film pack with portions removed to illustrate feeding, gating, and locating structure in a section of the casing adjacent to its exit opening.
  • FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the film pack taken along line l2 12 of FIG. 8 with a central portion removed and with parts broken away to illustrate internal portions of the film pack. Like FIG. 10, the pack is depicted as if the protective cover had been removed and one of the film units had been processed.
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of a camera usable with the present invention and having portions broken away to illustrate internal structure of the camera and a film pack received in the camera.
  • FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of an internal shell comprising part of the camera depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14. A film pack is received in the shell, and portions of the shell and pack are broken away to illustrate their cooperation.
  • FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the camera and film pack with portions broken away to present the feeding, gating, and locating elements at one end of the camera and pack.
  • FIGS. 17 21 are partial side views corresponding to FIG. 16, with portions broken away, to represent the operation of various elements including those for the feeding, gating, and locating of the film units.
  • FIGS. 22 and 23 are partial views of film, pack, and camera elements for deflecting and moving parts of the film unit into a waste-collecting compartment of the film pack.
  • FIG. 24 is an exploded view of internal elements of the camera depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14, with a driving and cycling mechanism for moving and coordinating movement of the film units and their respective parts.
  • FIGS. 25 28 are partial views depicting the mechanism of FIG. 24 in various positions of operation.
  • FIGS. 29 32 are partial views depicting a removable portion of the camera, including processing and film guiding structure, and the manner in which that portion is removed from and repositioned in the camera.
  • the film unit comprises a first part including an image-recording section for establishing the record in the form of a photographically useful image, and a second part including certain processing materials separably coupled to the first part.
  • a plurality of the film units are supplied to the camera in a film pack, which comprises an assemblage of such units arranged in a cartridge or container, and are sequentially exposed by the camera to actinic light or other radiation from the scene or subject to be photographically recorded.
  • each film unit After each film unit is exposed, it is removed from the pack and processed, and the first and second parts are separated to provide a record in the first part that is not incumbered by the processing materials removed with the second part.
  • the first part is directed toward a position where it will be accessible from the camera exterior, while the second part is directed back to a storage compartment in the film pack where it is stored and subsequently disposed of along with the film pack after the latter is exhausted of unexposed film units.
  • FIGS. 1-7 The preferred embodiment of the film unit 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, and comprises an image-recording section 3, structures 5 and 7 which respectively supply and collect a processing fiuid or fluent composition, and manipulating means 9 for facilitating handling of the film unit.
  • the image-recording section is especially adapted for recording a latent image that is processable to establish a visibly presentable image, and for this purpose includes a photosensitive element 11 comprising one or more photosensitive or emulsion layers that capture the latent image and a mordant or image-receiving layer in which the permanent image is ultimately preserved.
  • the mordant layer can be most closely associated with a second or processing sheet 113, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,415,644 and 3,607,285, issued Dec. 10, 1968 and Sept. 21, 1971, respectively, or, preferably, it can be part of the photosensitive elements (sometimes then referred to as an integral-negative-receiver), as disclosed in German Offenlegungschrift No.
  • the process sheet is permanently attached'to the photosensitive element in superposed, registered relation therewith and serves to confine the processing composition between that sheet and the photosensitive element for aiding in distributing the composition over the photosensitive layers.
  • the composition is distributed in a layer of uniform thickness, and that thickness is determined by side or spacer rails 15 that are adhered between the lateral edges of the photosensitive element and the process sheet through suitable means such as adhesive strips 17 and 119 (FIG. 2).
  • adhesive strips 17 and 119 FIG. 2
  • These same adhesive strips also permanently maintain the photosensitive element and the process sheet in superposed registration, but they do not prevent the resilient separation of the element and sheet at their leading and trailing ends and between the side rails to permit the introduction, distribution, and expulsion of the processing composition as will become more apparent hereinafter.
  • the process sheet is transparent, to permit exposure of the photosensitive layers from a first or top side of the film unit visible in FIGS. 1 and 3, while the final or visibly presentable image, preferably a light-reflective print, is established where it will be visible from the opposite or second and bottom side of the imagerecording section represented at 20 in FIG. 7.
  • a light-reflective print preferably a light-reflective print
  • the format can be understood generally by considering a photosensitive element having the following sequence of layers beginning at the bottom or second side; a transparent support; a mordant or image-receiving layer; a white reflecting layer, such as titanium dioxide, for providing a white reflective print background; an opaque layer, such as carbon black, for preventing exposure of the emulsion layers from the second side of the film unit; and various emulsion layers cooperating at least in a color system with complementary layers or material for establishing the colors in the final image. Since the preferred image-recording section is adapted to be exposed and viewed from opposite sides, a rightreading image is produced without recourse to imagereversing optics. Furthermore, by including an opacifier, such as carbon black, in the processing composition, to protect the emulsion from further exposure through the first side of the film unit once the composition is distributed, such a film unit can be removed from the camera before its processing has been completed.
  • an opacifier such as carbon black
  • the supply structure 5 is located at the leading end of the film unit and includes a somewhat flexible or crushable container section 21, often referred to as a pod, that is provided with a funnel 23 for directing the processing fluid or fluent composition from the container to the leading end of the image-recording section.
  • the container can be constructed in a well known manner, and includes a rupturable seal at one end 25 for discharging and substantially exhausting the pod contents through the funnel when hydraulic forces are applied to the pod by the camera.
  • the funnel includes first and second sheets having first spaced lips 27 permanently attached to the discharge end of the container and second lips 29 inserted without direct attachment between the leading ends of the photosensitive element and process sheet.
  • a sealing tape 30 in cluding an adhesive activated by the processing composition for sealing, and preventing any leakage of the processing composition from, the leading end of the image-recording section, as will become more apparent hereinafter.
  • the collecting structure 7 is adapted to receive any excess processing composition that is emitted from between the photosensitive element and process sheet at the trailing end of the image-recording section.
  • This structure includes a tapered lifter 311 defining a collecting void surrounded by a moisture-impervious enclosing sheet 33 that is wrapped around the lifter to confine the liquid and that also extends into the image-recording section between the photosensitive element and process sheet at end 35 to couple the trap to that section.
  • the coupling is rendercd releasable by a perforated or tearing line at 37, so the trap can be removed from the image-recording section after the initiation of processing.
  • the portion of the trap sheet inboard of the line 37 (e.g., toward the leading end of the film unit) is permanently attached to the image-recording section at 39 (FIG. 2) for sealing purposes.
  • Such sealing can be accomplished in a manner similar to that of the leading end by providing the facing surfaces of sheet 33 at end 35 with an adhesive 40 (FIG. 2) activated by the processing composition.
  • this sealing adhesive extends on both sides of parting line 37, so that it seals the leading end of the trap as well as the trailing end of the image-recording section to prevent leakage at both places after the trap is separated from the rest of the film unit.
  • both the container or pod and the collector or trap are intended to be removed from the image-recording section.
  • this can be accomplished by pulling on the containing part to remove the funnel from between the photosensitive element and process sheet.
  • the removal is accomplished by tearing at line 37, as disclosed more fully in commonly assigned copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 178,101, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT, filed in the name of Hubert Nerwin on Sept. 7, I97], and hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.
  • the manipulating means 9 that includes a carrier or coupling strip 41 and a substantially rigid stiffening bar 43.
  • the carrier can serve many functions, including that of coupling the con tainer or pod 21 to the image-recording section. Such coupling is effected by permanently attaching the container to the carrier at 45 (FIG. 2), but releasably or strippably coupling the trailing end of the carrier to the leading end of the image-recording section at 47.
  • the coupling at 47 is strong in shear, e.g., when the film unit is flat and relative forces applied to the carrier and image-recording section are acting in the plane defined by that sheetand section, but is weak in peel, for example, when the forces acting on the carrier extend substantially divergent from said image-recording section.
  • automatic separation of the carrier and its permanently attached container from the image-recording section can be accomplished easily by directing the carrier into a movement path that diverges from the image-recording section.
  • a preferred way to accomplish this separation involves deflecting the carrier into a first arcuate path extending around one of the pressure-applying members while permitting movement of the image-recording section along another, preferably straight-line or rectilinear path generally tangent to the pressure members.
  • the various functions performed by the stiffening bar also will become apparent hereinafter in connection with stacking, feeding, gating, and deflecting of various portions of the film unit. Certain of these functions are disclosed with even more particularity in commonly assigned copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,940, MENT, filed in the name of Donald M. Harvey on even date herewith.
  • the carrier sheet 41 is flexible to permit its longitudinal bending into a semicylindrical configuration, so it can be deflected into an arcuate movement path extending around or encircling one of the pressure-applying members, but also is resilient, so that it will tend to return both itself and its permanently attached container at least a significant extent toward a generally flat condition after such bending has occurred.
  • the image-recording section preferably has similar properties with even greater emphasis on stiffness, to promote its proper generally straightline movement and to thereby insure its effective separation from the carrier.
  • the photosensitive element and process sheet include supports of polyester film base material about 0.004 to 0.006 inches thick, and when the carrier sheet is cut from the same material about 0.004 to 0.007 inches thick or perhaps slightly thicker. For a single preferred thickness of the carrier, 0.005 inches would be chosen at the present time.
  • the corresponding transverse second width of the central or main body portion 48 of the carrier is designated 1) and is approximately the same as the widths of the image-recording section and trap or collecting structure.
  • the trailing end or skirt 49 of the carrier defines a third width designated c that is less than the width of the main body portion or image-recording section by approximately 0.280 inches and is established by notched or cut-out areas in the lateral edges of the carrier adjacent to its trailing end.
  • the film pack includes a stacked assemblage 53 of the above-described film units housed in a cartridge casing 55 comprising two cooperating parts 57 and 59 that are molded or otherwise formed from plastic, sheet metal and/or other suitable material.
  • the casing defines an internal chamber including a first section or compartment 61 for receiving the unexposed film units and a second section or compartment 63 for receiving at least certain of the waste materials left over from the film processing operation.
  • each film unit is exposed, in turn, through an aperture 65 in the first section, and is removed from the pack through an exit aperture or slot 67 during the corresponding processing operation.
  • certain of the processing waste materials are reinserted into the second section of the chamber through an entrance aperture or opening 69 spaced from exit slot 67 by end wall 71 of the casing.
  • the film units are received in unconnected stacked relation as best illustrated in FIG. 10.
  • the film assemblage is provided with a dark slide or cover sheet 72 that is constructed and handled in substantially the same manner as the film units except that it does not include the photosensitive layers, supplying or collecting structures, or the like.
  • the image-recording sections of adjacent film units are urged into contacting relationship and present the thinnest portion of the stack, while the thicker pod and trap sections splay outwardly from the image-recording sections in the manner illustrated.
  • the image-recording sections be generally flat, so the forwardmost film unit will be accurately positioned for exposure, and that various parts of the film unit, such as the rigid bar 43, be accurately located for engagement by film-feeding members of the camera. It has been found that such positioning and locating can be enhanced by shaping or tapering the pods and the traps from thinner profiles adjacent to the image-recording section to thicker profiles adjacent the leading and trailing ends of the film unit, thereby achieving the predetermined splayed positions of the pods and traps found to be most suitable for insuring consistent performance.
  • the bars 43 are provided with bent tabs 73 thatassist in establishing the desired location of at least the forwardmost film units.
  • a pressure plate or platen 75 is provided in the first cartridge chamber for supporting the image-recording sections and is resiliently urged toward the cartridge exposure aperture by resilient springs or legs 77.
  • Resilient extensions 79 and 81 also are provided for supporting the containers or pods and collectors or traps, respectively, in their previously mentioned splayed configurations.
  • elongate slots 83 provided in the same cartridge wall 85 that defines the cartridge exposure aperture.
  • the first chamber section is protected from light entering those slots by walls 87, 89 and 91 that essentially close or isolate the slots from the unexposed film units in the chamber.
  • the leading ends of the slots are most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, and include bar locating surfaces 93 and 95 that are defined by the ends of walls 87 and 89, respectively, to accurately and certainly establish the position of the bar associated with the forwardmost film unit.
  • the bar of the forwardmost film unit is located above an externally accessible surface of the bottom walls or ramps 89 of slots 83 prior to the positioning of the pack in the camera.
  • the functions of various cartridge elemens including the slots 83, walls 87, 89 and 91 and locating surfaces 93 and 95 are more fully described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,975, entitled FILM PACK, filed on even date herewith in the name of Chester W. Michatek and now abandoned.
  • the second section or sub-chamber 63 of the cartridge is located generally on the opposite side of the first chamber section from the exposure aperture, and at the leading end of the cartridge, to extend under the camera pressure-applying members.
  • This second section is defined in part by the interior of the cartridge chamber and by an extension or porch 96 for supporting the carriers 41 and containers 21 in stacked relation after their separation from the corresponding imagerecording sections during processing.
  • the carriers and containers are directed into the second section by guide means of the camera and by the cartridge fender guides 97 that are adapted to engage the tips of each film unit bar when the bars first enter this section of the cartridge. Thereupon, the carriers and containers are moved up ramps 99 and into engagement with the narrowed portion 101 of the cartridge side walls. It will be remembered that the carriers 41 are resiliently flexible, and the raising of their ends at ramp 99 has a tendency to urge their opposite ends into flat engagement with the floor of porch 96.
  • FIGS. 13-15 a processing camera is illustrated for sequentially exposing and effecting processing of the film units and also for separating certain parts of each film unit, such as theprocessing waste materials, from certain other parts, such as the image-recording section, after the initiating or processmg.
  • each film unit is transported endwise after its exposure by a feeding mechanism that is effective to move the film unit from its exposure position to a processing nip defined between a pair ofjuxtaposed pressure-applying members.
  • At least one and preferably both of the pressure-applying members are rotatably driven for engaging and applying compressive pressure to the film unit while pushing it through and progressively beyond the processing nip to effect its processing.
  • Adjacnet to the side of the pressureapplying members opposite the exposure position a deflecting mechanism is provided for engaging the separable waste materials and'for directing such materials into an arcuate path extending around one of the pressure-applying members toward a collecting position.
  • the image-recording section does not follow the arcuate path of the waste materials, however, but moves along a different, preferably straight-line or rectilinear path that effects its separation from the waste materials as it is directed toward a position accessible from the camera exterior.
  • the camera casing is of the rigid or non-folding type including an objective or lens 127 and an exposure control mechanism or shutter 128 (FIG. 15).
  • the camera is aimed during an'exposure by means of a viewfinder 133 that is optically aligned with the lens, and is actuated by a body release 135 slidably mounted in the camera casing.
  • a viewfinder 133 that is optically aligned with the lens
  • body release 135 slidably mounted in the camera casing.
  • loading door 141 is unlatched by means of release 143 and is pivoted to an open position about hinges 145.
  • the film pack then can be moved generally endwise and forwardly until a locating slot 147 (FIG. 15) in the cartridge wall 85 engages a cooperating rib 149 of the camera, and the abutment walls 103 of the cartridge snap behind l0- cating tabs 151 on arms 153 extending from a camera mechanism plate or supporting shell 155.
  • the transverse position of the film pack relative to the camera is thus established by the camera rib 149 and cartridge slot 147, while the longitudinal position is established by engagement between the camera tabs 151 and cartridge walls 103 under the resilient influence of a leaf spring 156 carried by the opposite end of shell 155.
  • the shell also supports a film-feeding mechanism including a slider or shuttle 157 for moving the film units from their initial exposure position into driving engagement with the pressure-applying members 159 and 161.
  • the shuttle is mounted for rectilinear reciprocation by pins 163, and 167 (FIGS. 15 and 26), that are secured to the shell and extend through corresponding elongated slots in the shuttle.
  • the film engaging portions of the shuttle include a pair of narrow and vertically oriented fingers 168 adapted to be received in the cartridge slots 83 to bring their first abutment or pushing surface 169 and their second abutment or holding and gating surface 171 into operative relation with the film units.
  • FIGS. -12 illustrating the film pack prior to its loading into the camera
  • FIG. 16 illustrating a portion of the pack after such loading
  • the bar 43 at the leading end of the forwardmost film unit is pushed by the shuttle finger abutment surface 171 from a first location engaging the cartridge step 93 in alignment with the exit aperture 67, to a second location out of engagement with the step, and out of alignment with the exit aperture.
  • the shuttle is moved along slot 83 to a retracted position (FIG.
  • the shuttle then is moved toward its first or original position (FIG. 18), to push the bar or leading end of the film unit into driving engagement with the pressure-applying members.
  • the pressure-applying members preferably are limited in their relative movement toward each other to establish a slight initial spacing for facilitating entry of the film unit into the pressure nip defined between those members.
  • Consistently accurate alignment between the shuttle pushing surfaces 169 and the forwardmost film unit can be established by maintaining the pushers or fingers 168 of the shuttle in or close to slideable engagement with the cartridge ramp or wall 89, while locating the bar, at least immediately prior to its feeding, against surfaces 93 and 95 of walls 87 and 89.
  • This feature of the cartridge and feeding mechanism is described more fully in the previously mentioned Michatek application Ser. No. 268,975.
  • the relative configurations and orientations of the film unit, cartridge, and feeding elements also provide an especially reliable gating means for ensuring that only one film unit at a time is fed from the cartridge to the pressure-applying members.
  • the holding or gating surfaces 171 of the shuttle fingers 168 engage and maintain the bar of the next successive film unit below the cartridge exit aperture so it cannot accidentally be fed from the cartridge with the exposed film unit.
  • further transporting of the film unit is effected by rotating at least one and preferably both of the pressure-applying members in engagement with the film unit.
  • the members themselves preferably are rollers approximately threeeighths of an inch in diameter that are treated by sand blasting or the like, to increase their driving coefficient of friction, and that are sufficiently hardened to prevent damage from the film unit bars 43 or bar tabs 73.
  • the rollers apply a transporting force to the film unit that progressively pushes the unit endwise through the nip and from between the rollers in a direction generally tangential to the rollers at their nip.
  • the bar 43 at the leading end of the exposed film unit is pushed into engagement with a first pair of spaced deflecting fenders 173 that extend across the tangential path of movement to deflect the bar, and with it the leading end of the film unit, into an arcuate path extending around one of the rollers and toward the second or waste-collecting section 63 0f the film pack.
  • the first pair of fenders are spaced laterally by an amount less than the bar width a (FIG. 3) but greater than the carrier or film width b.
  • a second pair of deflecting fenders 175 that are spaced by an amount less than the carrier width b but greater than the skirt width 0. These second fenders conform the main portion 48 of the carrier to substantially the same arcuate path defined by the first fenders and followed by the bar 43.
  • the first and second pairs of fenders are laterally offset but otherwise are essentially concentric, except for an introductory portion 177 (FIG. 18) of the second pair of fenders that is relieved to prevent any jamming in case the bar flexes slightly between the first set of fenders.
  • the first or outermost fenders also are aligned laterally with the cartridge bar ramps 97 to define an arcuate path for the bar that continues from one end adjacent to the nip between the rollers to an opposite end extending into the porch of the cartridge wastecollecting compartment 63.
  • the image-recording section When the image-recording section exits tangentially from the rollers, its inherent stiffness causes it to continue to move in a generally straight-line path whereby it passes between the first or outermost fenders but over guiding surfaces 179 of the innermost fenders toward a position where the image-recording section will be available for retrieval from the camera exterior.
  • one part of the film unit comprising waste materials and including the carrier, the bar, and the exhausted container, is directed along one path; while a second, useful part of the film unit for supporting the final print, and including the imagerecording section, is permitted to move along another path.
  • each notch is approximately equal to the arcuate length of the deflecting fenders (e.g., around 0.50 inches), such that the leading edge 180 of each notch will clear one end of the innermost fenders at approximately the moment of separation and when the trailing end of the carrier passes between the fenders at their opposite ends.
  • the final movement of the waste materials is effected by forces within the materials themselves so that continued driving engagement with the roller or other transporting mechanisms is unnecessary.
  • FIGS. 24-28 a preferred driving and cycling mechanism is illustrated for operating the film-feeding mechanism and for rotatively driving the pressure rollers.
  • Pulling on the previously mentioned lanyard tab 139 is effective through this mechanism to reciprocate the film-feeding shuttle through one cycle from a first or advanced position (FIG. 26), to a second or retracted position (FIG. 27), and then back to the first advanced position (FIG. 28), to feed a film unit into driving engagement with the pressure-applying members.
  • the rollers are rotatably driven during and after the reciprocation of the filmfeeding shuttle, for example through approximately seven revolutions, to effect their previously described film-transporting functions.
  • the driving and cycling mechanism is secured to the camera mounting shell 155 between that shell and a mounting plate 181.
  • the mounting plate is securely attached to the shell through tabs 183 and 185, that mate with and are received in slots 187 and 189 of the shell, and by rivets or other appropriate securing means (not shown), that extend through holes 191 and 193 in the mounting plate and corresponding holes 195 and 197 in the shell.
  • a flexible elongate lanyard 199 extends from its pull tab 139 through the camera casing and is wound onto a supporting surface of a drum barrel or spool 201 that is rotatably received on a barrel arbor 203 staked at one end 205 to the support plate at 207 and received at its opposite end 209 on a bearing hub 211.
  • the lanyard is resiliently maintained in a wound-up condition by a spiral or scroll spring 213 wound within the drum and secured at one end to the barrel arbor at 215 and at its opposite end to the drum at 217, whereby the lanyard will be returned to and maintained in its wound condition when released.
  • a governor or the like not shown
  • the shuttle 157 is driven by a reciprocative motion converter 231, of the general type known as a scotch yoke drive.
  • a shuttle driver 233 is mounted for rotation on the barrel arbor by the bearing hub 211 in light functional engagement with that arbor.
  • the driver carries an off-set crank pin 237 received in a cam or com trol slot 239 of a yoke plate 241 that is bent from the body portion of the shuttle to drive the film-feeding members.
  • the shuttle driver is reciprocated by the lanyard barrel through a one revolution clutch including a pawl 243 pivotally mounted on a pin 245 of the shuttle driver and resiliently urged into engagement with a pawl wheel 246 on the barrel by a relatively weak pawl spring 247.
  • the pawl After completing one revolution while engaged with the pawl wheel as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the pawl is disengaged from the pawl wheel as shown in FIG. 28 when pawl ear 248 encounters a release finger 249 of a blocking plate 251.
  • the latter plate is rockably received in slot 253 of the mounting plate and is resiliently urged by spring 255 into a block ing position where its finger 249 can encounter and disengage the pawl from the pawl wheel to terminate reciprocation of the shuttle with the shuttle fingers extended as shown in FIG. 18 while permitting continued rotation of the pressure rollers, thereby preventing premature feeding of the next successive film unit.
  • the blocking plate is movable out ofits blocking position by the button 137 or an equivalent automatic clutch actuating mechanism to permit engagement between the pawl and the wheel prior to pulling on the lanyard to effect each cycle of the mechanism.
  • the barrels pawl wheel ratchets past pawl 243 by overpowering pawl spring 247 while the shuttle driver remains stationary becuase of the friction between its hub bore and arbor 215 and the additional friction in the yoke mechanism and in the shuttle support means.
  • This subassembly includes a main carriage frame 257 that fixedly supports and locates the fenders relative to pressure-applying member 159, which is rotatably supported by the reception of its end shafts 227 in bearing holes 258 in the carriage frame.
  • the end shafts 229 of the other pressure-applying member 161 are rotatably and translatably received in slots 259 of the carriage frame and also in slots 261 of corresponding arms 263.
  • each arm is pivotally coupled to the carriage by a pin 265, and a spring 267 at its opposite end biases it toward the pressure-applying member 159, thereby establishing a resiliently yieldable compressive pressure at the roller nip.
  • the carriage is releasably retained and located in the camera by a first latching surface 269 adapted to be straddled by an off-set tang 271 of the shell and by a latching bracket 273 pivotally mounted to the carrier

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Photographic Developing Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Cameras Adapted For Combination With Other Photographic Or Optical Apparatuses (AREA)
US00268932A 1972-07-05 1972-07-05 Photographic film unit Expired - Lifetime US3804626A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00268932A US3804626A (en) 1972-07-05 1972-07-05 Photographic film unit
DE19732333652 DE2333652A1 (de) 1972-07-05 1973-07-02 Selbstentwickler-filmeinheit
GB3205773A GB1448283A (en) 1972-07-05 1973-07-05 Photographic film unit
JP48075323A JPS4945727A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-07-05 1973-07-05
FR7324656A FR2191154B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-07-05 1973-07-05

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00268932A US3804626A (en) 1972-07-05 1972-07-05 Photographic film unit

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3804626A true US3804626A (en) 1974-04-16

Family

ID=23025128

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00268932A Expired - Lifetime US3804626A (en) 1972-07-05 1972-07-05 Photographic film unit

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3804626A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS4945727A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2333652A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2191154B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1448283A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4029184A (en) * 1976-04-09 1977-06-14 Eastman Kodak Company Pawl and ratchet clutch
US6038403A (en) * 1996-03-28 2000-03-14 Polaroid Corporation Single use camera employing single frame film assemblages and method thereof
WO2001025851A1 (en) * 1999-10-01 2001-04-12 Polaroid Corporation Photographic film assemblages of the self-developing type having removable portions
US6517989B2 (en) 2000-08-01 2003-02-11 Polaroid Corporation Retrofitted self-developing film assemblages and methods of making the same
US6565271B1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2003-05-20 Polaroid Corporation Self-developing film assemblages
US6715947B1 (en) 2001-06-08 2004-04-06 Tally Printer Corporation Low rotational inertia shuttle system with a flattened sinusoidal carriage velocity
US7249049B1 (en) 2000-06-21 2007-07-24 Rapt, Inc. Method and business process for the estimation of mean production for assemble-to-order manufacturing operations

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2843476A1 (de) * 1978-10-05 1980-04-17 Agfa Gevaert Ag Photographische filmeinheit mit integralem aufbau
DE2907623A1 (de) * 1979-02-27 1980-09-04 Akzo Gmbh Verfahren zur herstellung von fibrillierten faserstrukturen

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3636845A (en) * 1970-10-02 1972-01-25 Eastman Kodak Co Photographic film unit assemblage
US3672274A (en) * 1970-10-02 1972-06-27 William P Ewald Assemblage and pack for self-processing film units
US3680456A (en) * 1970-10-02 1972-08-01 Eastman Kodak Co Photographic film assemblage

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA960894A (en) * 1971-02-01 1975-01-14 Donald M. Harvey Film unit

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3636845A (en) * 1970-10-02 1972-01-25 Eastman Kodak Co Photographic film unit assemblage
US3672274A (en) * 1970-10-02 1972-06-27 William P Ewald Assemblage and pack for self-processing film units
US3680456A (en) * 1970-10-02 1972-08-01 Eastman Kodak Co Photographic film assemblage

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4029184A (en) * 1976-04-09 1977-06-14 Eastman Kodak Company Pawl and ratchet clutch
US6038403A (en) * 1996-03-28 2000-03-14 Polaroid Corporation Single use camera employing single frame film assemblages and method thereof
US6291128B1 (en) 1997-03-17 2001-09-18 Polaroid Corporation Photographic film assemblages of the self-developing type having removable portions
WO2001025851A1 (en) * 1999-10-01 2001-04-12 Polaroid Corporation Photographic film assemblages of the self-developing type having removable portions
US7249049B1 (en) 2000-06-21 2007-07-24 Rapt, Inc. Method and business process for the estimation of mean production for assemble-to-order manufacturing operations
US6517989B2 (en) 2000-08-01 2003-02-11 Polaroid Corporation Retrofitted self-developing film assemblages and methods of making the same
US6715947B1 (en) 2001-06-08 2004-04-06 Tally Printer Corporation Low rotational inertia shuttle system with a flattened sinusoidal carriage velocity
US6565271B1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2003-05-20 Polaroid Corporation Self-developing film assemblages

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2191154B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1979-01-05
GB1448283A (en) 1976-09-02
FR2191154A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-02-01
DE2333652A1 (de) 1974-01-24
JPS4945727A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-05-01

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