US3804627A

US3804627A - Film handling improvement

Info

Publication number: US3804627A
Application number: US00268940A
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: 1974-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-16

Abstract

A self-processing film unit is provided at its leading end with a transverse stiffening bar to facilitate handling of the film unit in photographic processing apparatus. The bar is adapted to be engaged by a film feeding member in the apparatus to move the film unit into the nip between a pair of processing members. The bar also prevents undesirable transverse flexing of the leading end of the film unit when it is directed longitudinally in an arcuate path after passing through the processing members.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Harvey Apr. 16, 1974 FILM HANDLING IMPROVEMENT 3,694,206 9/1972 Downey 96/76 R [75] Inventor: Donald M. Harvey, Webster, NY.

Primary Examiner-Ronald H. Smith [73] Asslgnee: 5 T lg Y Cnmpany, Assistant ExaminerJohn L. Goodrow 0c ester,

[22] Filed: July 5, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 268,940 A self-processing film unit is provided at its leading end with a transverse stiffening bar to facilitate handling of the film unit in photographic processing appa- 7 l fi g 96/ g ratus. The bar is adapted to be engaged by a film feed- [58] Fieid 76 R 29 ing member in the apparatus to move the film unit into the nip between a pair of processing members. The bar also prevents undesirable transverse flexing of [56] References Cited v the leading end of the film unit when it is directed lon- UNITED STATES PATENTS gitudinally in an arcuate path after passing through the 3,636,845 H1972 Harvey 96/76 C processing members 3,680,456 8/1972 Nerwin 96/76 R 3,672,272 6/1972 Cole 96/76 R 13 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEHAPR '16 m4 SHEEI 1 [If 4 PATENTEUAPR 1s ism 3304.627

SHEET 2 BF 4 36 39 FIG. 4

PATENIEDAPR 16 I974 saw 3 or 4 PA DAPR 161974 I 3.804.627

m u or 4 FIG. IO

LL/l 1 FILM HANDLING IMPROVEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to means for facilitating the handling of self-processing film units in photographic processing apparatus. More particularly, the invention provides the leading end of a self-processing film unit with a transverse stiffening bar, or the like, through which movement and location of the film unit can be more accurately controlled in apparatus such as a processing camera.

The present invention is illustrated with a selfprocessing film unit of the general type disclosed in my commonly assigned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 111,471, entitled FILM UNIT, filed on Feb. 1, 1971 and now abandoned. Briefly, such a film unit comprises an image-recording section, a container or pod for supplying a processing fluid to the image-recording section, a collector or trap for receiving any excess of the processing fluid from the image-recording section, and a flexible but resilient carrier or card. The imagerecording section is adapted to record a latent image that is processable by the processing fluid, and also to support a visibly presentable image, such as a photographic print, that is established during such processing. The carrier or card is releasably coupled to the image-recording section and, in turn, releasably couples the container or pod and the collector or trap to the leading and trailing ends of the image-recording section, respectively.

The above-mentioned film unit is especially adapted for use in a processing camera that effects the recording of the latent image by exposing the image-recording section of the film unit to a scene. The camera then initiates processing of the latent image by applying the processing fluid to the image-recording section, with any excess being directed into the collector or trap. This latter function is accomplished by feeding the film unit into and between a pair of juxtaposed pressureapplying members. Once processing has been initiated, the container or pod and the collector or trap have served their primary functions, and preferably are removed so they will not detract from the aesthetic appearance of the final visibly presentable image or print. They also preferably are collected and stored by the camera to reduce the likelihood of any harm to the environment. A processing camera of the abovementioned type is disclosed, for example, in my commonly assigned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. l 1 1,467, entitled PHOTOGRAPI-IIC APPARATUS, filed on Feb. I, 1971 and now abandoned.

Referring again to the resiliently flexible carrier or card, its purposes can be many and varied, depending on the manner of using the film unit and the apparatus in which it is used. In the above-mentioned apparatus, and by way of example only, the carrier or card can provide means other than manually pulled leaders for facilitating feeding of the film unit into the mechanism for initiating its processing. The carrier or card also can be used to facilitate separation of the container or pod and the collector or trap from the image-recording section, as well as further movement or other handling of such separated materials during their storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I now have found that significant improvements can be made, and further utilization of advantages can be realized, by providing the above-mentioned and certain related types of film units with narrow stiffening means, extending transversely at their leading ends or sections, to prevent any substantial transverse flexing of the leading ends without substantially interfering with longitudinal flexing thereof. The invention has particular utility with film units that are transportable by camera mechanisms (rather than manually pulled leaders, or the like) and especially with such film units having parts, such as the processing materials, that are intended to be separated from other parts, such as the image-recording section, after processing of the film unit has been initiated.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved means for facilitating the handling of selfprocessing film units.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for facilitating the location and transporting of selfprocessing film units in photographic processing apparatus, and especially such film units that are transportable by camera mechanisms rather than manually pulled leaders.

Still another object of the invention is to improve and further utilize the advantages of self-processing film units having a container and/or a collector for a processing fluid that are adapted to be stripped from the image-recording section of the film unit after processing of the film unit has been initiated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the film unit includes a resiliently flexible carrier or card that releasably couples a container of a processing fluid to an image-recording section of the unit. The stiffening means comprises a substantially rigid transverse bar, applied to the leading end of the carrier or card, that is adapted to be engaged by the feeding mechanism of associated photographic apparatus for effecting movement of the film unit into a pressure-applying mechanism of the apparatus. The bar also is adapted to be engaged by spaced guiding shoes of the apparatus, after passing through the pressure-applying mechanism, for directing the container and the carrier or card in an arcuate path to a waste collecting and storage chamber. At the same time, the image-recording section is adapted to move in a substantially straight-line path to strip or separate the image-recording section from the container and carrier. In accordance with one feature of the illustrated embodiment, the carrier or card extends entirely under the image-recording section and a collector for receiving any excess of the processing fluid also is attached to the card, at its trailing end, and also is adapted to be directed in an arcuate path for stripping or separating the collector from 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 accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a film unit provided with stiffening means at its leading end in accordance with the present invention;

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

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view, in section, of a portion of the leading end of the film unit depicting the preferred stiffening means;

FIGS. 4-6 correspond generally to FIG. 3 but illustrate alternative embodiments of the stiffening means in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a film pack including a plurality of film units of the type illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken longitudinally through the film pack depicted in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective schematic view of the film pack illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, depicting its relation to certain principal elements of a photographic processing camera with which the film units have particular utility;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, partially cross-sectioned, side-elevational view depicting one stage in the operation of the film unit of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the camera of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, partially cross-sectioned, side-elevational view depicting another stage in the operation of the camera of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 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 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 PREFERREDEMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in a film unit 15. The film unit generally comprises an image-recording portion or section 16 for recording a processable latent image, a supply mechanism 17 for applying a processing fluid to the image-recording section, a collecting mechanism 18 for receiving any excess of the processing fluid from the image-recording section, and a carrier 19 for supporting the supply and collecting mechanisms and for coupling the mechanisms to the leading and trailing ends of the image-recording section.

In operation, the film unit is intended to be exposed in photographic apparatus such as the processing camera schematically depicted in FIG. 9. Processing of the film unit then is initiated by passing the film unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members of the apparatus that effect a distribution of the processing fluid from the supply mechanism to the imagerecording section, with any excess being received in the collecting mechanism. Soon after passing between the pressure-applying members, the carrier is directed in an arcuate path away from the image-recording section, to separate or strip the image-recording section from the carrier and the supply and collecting mechanisms, which then are collected in a storage chamber preferably behind the position occupied by the film unit before its exposure. Such separation or stripping is permitted .by the arrangement of the various film unit elements, and by the nature of the couplings between such elements, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the imagerecording section is of the preregistered, integral type comprising a photosensitive element or first sheet 20 and a transparent second element or process sheet 22, which are permanently secured together along their lateral marginal edges. The terms preregistered and integral are used in the present application in reference to film units of the type where the photosensitive element and the process sheet are superposed prior to exposure, preferably at some stage during the manufacture of the film unit, and are permanently maintained substantially in that superposed or registered relation during and after processing.

The photosensitive element and process sheet preferably are rectangular and coextensive with one another, and are permanently secured together along their lateral margins so that their central regions are maintained in registration, but still are sufficiently separable in their central regions to permit the distribution of a processing fluid therebetween.

The photosensitive element 20 includes one or more layers of photosensitive material for recording a latent image that is processable to establish a visibly presentable image, such as a reflection print. In the preferred embodiment, the photosensitive material is adapted to be exposed through the transparent process sheet, from one side of the image-recording section, and the visibly presentable image is established in an image-recording or mordant layer in that same photosensitive element, where it can be viewed from the other side of the image-recording section.

During processing, the photosensitive material is protected from further exposure by an opaque layer on one side, between the photosensitive material and the image-receiving or mordant layer, and by an opacifier that is distributed from the supply mechanism 17 onto the other side, between the photosensitive element and the process sheet. Thus, once processing has been initiated, and the opacifier has been distributed, the imagerecording section can be removed from the light-tight confines of the camera for the completion of processing. Further details of such an image-recording section are disclosed in German Offenlegungschrift No. 2,052,145, filed in the name of H. E. Cole and published Apr. 29, 1971. Examples of other preregistered, integral film units are disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,415,644, issued Dec. 10, 1968.

The flexible resilient carrier or card underlies the image-recording section and includes

extended end portions

23 and 24 that continue beyond the leading and trailing ends of the image-recording section, respectively, for supporting the fluid supply and collecting

mechanisms

17 and 18, and also for releasably coupling the supply and collecting mechanisms to the imagerecording section. The supply mechanism is permanently attached to the carrier, and includes a rupturable containing part or pod 28 comprising a rectangular piece of vapor-impervious sheet material that is folded along one edge and sealed along its lateral sides. A discharge end 30 (FIG. 2) of the container, or a separate funnel (not shown) extending from the discharge end, is releasably received between the adjacent leading edges of the photosensitive element and process sheet. A rupturable seal is provided along substantially the entire length of the discharge end of the container and is adapted to release the processing fluid from the container upon the application of hydraulic forces generated by passing the container between a pair of pressure-applying members, as described below.

The fluid collecting mechanism or trap 18 is permanently attached to the carrier on its trailing end portion 24 and includes a moisture-impermeable trap sheet 32 that releasably overlies the adjacent trailing end of the image-recording section. Small lifters or spacer members 34 are bonded to the lateral edges of the trap sheet and to the trailing end portion of the carrier for defining a void that is suitable for collecting any excess of the processing fluid that might be extruded out of the trailing end of the image-recording section during processing.

For reasons to become more apparent hereinafter, the carrier 19 is wider than the image-recording section and can be provided with perforations 36 extending along its lateral edges beyond image-recording section 16.

Referring now more specifically to the present invention in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the leading end of the film unit is provided with stiffening means, such as the rigid bar 38, connected to the leading end of the carrier and extending transversely beyond the lateral edges thereof. The stiffening bar 38 preferably comprises a low carbon steel that is formed from sheet stock bent around and crimped to the leading end of the carrier sheet in a manner assuring its permanent attachment thereto. The steel sheet stock preferably is 0.007 inches thick, and cooperates with a carrier or card approximately 0.005 inches thick, to provide an overall thickness of approximately 0.019 inches. In the longitudinal direction (indicated by the dimension a in FIG. 3), the bar is relatively narrow, e. anP Qx 19t91x-.-. .5,9 inshes Pr y t more than 0.250 inches), so that it will not substantially interfere with longitudinal flexing or bending of the carrier or card during its intended arcuate movement, e.g., around a radius of approximately 0.187 inches. By reference to FIG. 3, it also will be apparent that the stiffening bar is somewhat narrower than the spacing between the adjacent perforations 36, and that the trailing edge of the bar is aligned with or immediately adjacent to the leading end of the forwardmost perforations 39. In the transverse direction, the bar extends beyond the lateral edges of the carrier or card by approximately 0.120 inches on each side to facilitate engagement of the extended portion by a camera film-feeding claw described more fully hereinafter.

The bar also is located closely adjacent to the leading end of the container or pod 17 to insure its proper bending. Because the container or pod usually will include one or more relatively stiff layers, such as lead foil, its proper bending can be difficult to insure. Furtherdetails and advantages of the stiffening means will be described hereinafter in connection with the opera tion of the preferred embodiment.

The film units described above have particular utility in a film pack or magazine 46 comprising a plurality of such units in a casing 48, best shown in FIGS. 7and 8. The film pack casing is made of plastic or sheet metal and includes an internal wall 50 that separates the interior of the casingintoa forward compartment 52 and a somewhat wider, rearward storage or waste collecting compartment 54. A plurality of the film units lS are initially housed in the forward casing compartment behind an opaque cover sheet 56 that is substantially identical to the resiliently flexible carrier or card. A pressure plate 58 is located rearwardly of the stack of film units and is urged forwardly by resilient leaf springs 60 bearing against internal wall 50 to lightly compress the stack of film units against the front casing wall 62 surrounding exposure window 64. The ends of the stiffening bars of the stacked film units project out of the forward casing compartment through lateral slots 66, which are joined by a narrow exit opening or slot 68 in casing end wall 70 to permit the forwardmost cover sheet or film unit to be slid endwise out of the forward casing compartment. Below the wall 70, an opening 72 provides access to the rearward storage compartment 54, which is wider than the forward compartment so that it can receive the cards and their stiff ening bars after the image-recording sections have been separated from the carriers during the successive processing operations.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the film pack installed in the camera, with exposure window 64 in rearward alignment with the camera lens 74 and with cover sheet 56 in endwise alignment with the nip defined between processing or driving roller 76 and processing shoe 78. Roller 76 is rotatably supported by its central shaft 80 and includes sprocket teeth 82 at each end adapted to engage the perforations 36 along the edges of the cover sheet and the carrier sheets. Appropriate drive means, not shown, are connected to the roller shaft 80 to impart rotation to the roller in the direction shown by arrow 84. Guide shoes 86 partially encircle the ends of the driving roller adjacent to its sprocket teeth to maintain the sprocket perforations of the cover sheet and the carrier sheets in driving engagement with the sprockets, as described below. The processing shoe 78 is resiliently biased toward roller 76 by springs 88 to provide firm but resilient pressure between the two processing members.

A feeder member 90 of a first or initial feeding mechanism is slidably supported on the camera housing by rivets 92 received in slots 94 of a pair of arms 96 that straddle the forward film pack compartment adjacent to the stiffening bars of the cover sheet and the film units. A spring 98 is attached to the operating bar 100 of the feeder member to resiliently bias it to the retracted position shown in FIG. 9, at which shoulders 102 on arms 96 engage the trailing edges of the ends of the forwardmost stiffening bar extending beyond the film pack casing through casing slots 66. i

To remove the cover sheet from the film pack, the rotation of roller 76 is initiated and the operating bar 100 is pulled manually from the exterior of the camera to move the feeder member momentarily from the re tracted position shown in FIG. 9 to the extended position shown in FIG. 10. This movement causes shoulders 102 of arms 96 to pull the stiffening bar of the cover sheet into the nip between the two processing members so that the adjacent two sprocket teeth 82 at each end of the roller straddle the bar and enter the adjacent sprocket perforations as illustrated in FIG. 10. The rotation of roller 76 then imparts endwise movement to the cover sheet, which travels around the roller as the stiffening bar is maintained in engagement with the sprockets by guide shoes 86. When the stiffening bar has moved approximately halfway around roller 76, it reaches the end of the arcuate guide shoe faces and is directed into the rearward casing compartment through opening 72. Because of the positive engagement between the roller sprockets and perforations 36, the continuing rotation of the roller pushes the cover sheet into the rearward casing compartment behind resiliently flexible guide springs 104 until the trailing end of the cover sheet has been driven beyond engagement with the sprockets of roller 76. Because of the spacing between roller 76 and the adjacent end of the film pack, the roller cannot push the cover sheet all the way into the storage compartment, but only to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 11.

To complete the movement of the sheet into the storage compartment, the camera can be provided with a retracting member 106 that includes a pair of claw fingers 108 extending into the rearward storage compartment through slots 110 in the film pack casing. The retracting member is biased both rearwardly and toward the corresponding end of the camera by coil springs 112. By repeatedly pressing and releasing an externally accessible operating ear 114, the photographer can impart reciprocating movement to the retracting member, whereby at least one pair of claw teeth 1 16 ride past the ends of the adjacent stiffening bar 38 as car 112 is depressed, and then engage and pull the bar toward the adjacent end of the storage compartment when ear 114 is released. Several repetitions of the reciprocating movement of the retracting member therefore cause the cover sheet to be pulled completely into the rearward casing compartment as the successive teeth of the retracting member engage the ends of the stiffening bar.

After the forwardmost film unit has been exposed, member 90 engages the ends of its stiffening bar and moves it into engagement with the sprocket teeth or roller 76 in the same manner just described. Accordingly, the processing fluid pod 28 attached to the carrier sheet of that film unit is drawn into and through the nip between roller 76 and shoe 78, which causes the pod to be ruptured so that the processing fluid is extruded between the two sheets of the image-recording section 16 and is distributed between those sheets by the roller and the shoe. As the leading end of the image-recording section emerges through the pressure nip, its inherent stiffness causes it to separate progressively from the carrier sheet and to continue traveling in a straight path between the two guide shoes. An appropriate slot is provided in the camera housing in alignment with the pressure nip to allow the imagerecording section to emerge to the exterior of the camera. The processing fluid pod, however, is permanently attached to the carrier sheet and is therefore separated from the image-recording section and carried around roller 76 between the guide shoes. Because trap sheet 32 is also permanently attached to the carrier sheet, it likewise separates from the image-recording section when the latter has passed entirely through the pressure nip, so that the trap also remains with the carrier sheet. The stiffening bar at the leading end of the carrier sheet enters opening 72 in the film pack casing forwardly of the cover sheet previously moved into the storage compartment and is pushed along the cover sheet behind springs 104. By the time the carrier sheet has moved beyond engagement with the sprockets of roller 76, its stiffening bar is in a position at which it can be engaged by the claw teeth of the retracting member, which is reciprocated several times in the manner described above to move the carrier sheet entirely into the storage compartment. 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.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS Illustrative alternative embodiments of the present invention are depicted in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. In FIG. 4, the leading end of the carrier or card is provided with a thickened end portion 40 molded or otherwise formed integral with, and from the same material as, the carrier or card. In FIG. 5, the leading end of the carrier or card is folded back upon itself one or more times at 42 to stiffen the leading end. In FIG. 6, the bar is defined by a molded or extruded strip of stiff or rigid plastic material 44 that is thicker than the carrier or card, and that is cemented or otherwise permanently secured to its leading end with the additional thickness extending only to one side of the carrier. In all such cases, however, the stiffening means must be sufficiently rigid to prevent substantial transverse bending when the lateral ends thereof are engaged for feeding the leading end of the film unit between the roller and shoe, and then for directing it in an arcuate path as described in connection with the preferred embodiment.

Although the foregoing disclosure describes the various operative elements of the film transporting and processing devices as being manually actuated independently of each other, it should be obvious that those devices can be operated automatically in properly coordinated synchronism by means of an appropriate mechanism powered either by a single manually operable element or by an electric drive motor or the like. It should also be recognized that the stiffening bar need not extend beyond the lateral edges of the carrier sheet to which it is attached but can terminate flush with those edges, in which case the supplemental feeder member is adapted to engage the trailing edge of the stiffening bar forwardly of the carrier sheet. Furthermore, although it is preferable to provide the carrier sheets with perforations engageable by sprocket teeth on a driving roller, the same type of stiffening bar could also be used advantageously with a film unit that is driven through the pressure nip by frictional means alone. By way of example only, the pressure-applying mechanism could comprise two driven rollers for pushing the film unit through their nip and into engagement with the guide or deflecting shoes 86. In such case, where the leading end of the carrier is pushed into engagement with and deflected entirely by the guide or deflecting shoes, with no assistance from sprocket teeth, the stiff or rigid properties of the bar will become even more important.

Many advantageous features of the present invention should now be apparent. The transverse stiffening bar permits longitudinal bending of the carrier or card while preventing any substantial transverse bending. When the bar comprises a ferromagnetic material, such as low carbon steel, it can be handled with magnetic fixtures. This can be especially important when the unit is moved at high speed during its manufacture. When placed in an assemblage or cartridge, the bar provides dimensionally stable means for accurately locating the film unit, and especially those portions to be first engaged by the camera feeding members. During feeding and guiding or deflecting, the bar provides strong engageable surfaces that will not be damaged by the camera mechanisms and that are less likely to jam due to undesirable distortions. Perhaps most important, however, the bar will not how by any substantial amount during feeding or transporting as described above. Thus, when the carrier is moved in an arcuate path to establish a semi-cylindrical configuration, the leading end of the carrier will not flex out of parallelism with that configuration. Similarly, the transverse extent defined by the leading end will not shorten clue to bending. This permits the use of transversely spaced pairs of camera feeding and/or deflecting members that need engage the film unit or carrier only at its opposite lateral edges without fear that the engaged portions will fall short between such pairs of feeding or deflecting members.

It also should be apparent that the film unit could take other forms or configurations. One particularly important example is disclosed in my commonly as signed US. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,932, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT, filed on even date herewith.

While the terms longitudinal and transverse bending are somewhat difficult to define in words, it is believed their meanings in the present application will be entirely clear from the above description considered in connection with FIG. 10.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to the illustrated preferred and alternative embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can beeffected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A self-processing film unit defining a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension normal to said longitudinal dimension, said film unit being movable longitudinally for initiating its processing and comprisan image-recording portion including a layer of photosensitive material for recording a photographically useful image, the photographically useful image being processable by a processing fluid to establish a visibly presentable image; and

means releasably coupled to said image-recording portion for supplying the processing fluid to said image-recording portion, said supplying means ineluding a processing-fluid container having a trailing end adjacent to said image-recording portion and a leadingend opposite to said trailing end, said supplying means being bendable longitudinally of said film unit when said container is substantially empty and including a narrow, substantially rigid portion extending transversely of said film unit adjacent to said leading end of said container, said substantially rigid portion resisting bending of said supplying means transversely of said film unit adjacent to said leading end without substantially interfering with bending of said supplying means longitudinally of said film unit.

2. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transverse dimension defines an overall film unit width, and wherein said substantially rigid portion extends transversely of said film unit throughout said width and extends longitudinally of said film unit by not more than 0.250 inches to prevent said sub stantially rigid portion from substantially interfering with said bending of said supplying means longitudinally of said film unit. i

3. A selflprocessing film unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said substantially rigid portion extends longitudinally of said film unit by not substantially more than 0.150 inches.

4. 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 photosensitive element for aiding in distributing a fluid between said photosensitive element and said process sheet to effect processing of the latent image;

a fluid supplying mechanism for introducing the fluid between said photosensitive element and said process sheet; and

a carrier sheet releasably coupling said fluid supplying mechanism to said image-recording section, said carrier sheet defining a longitudinal direction in which said carrier sheet is easily bendable and a transverse direction in which said carrier sheet is not easily bendable at least in a transversely extending portion thereof adjacent to said fluid supplying mechanism, said transversely extending portion including an elongate, relatively rigid member extending transversely of said carrier sheet adja cent to said fluid supplying mechanism, to enable said carrier sheet to be easily bent in said longitudinal direction, so as to follow an arcuate path, without bending in said transverse direction at least in said transversely extending portion.

5. A self-processing film unit comprising:

an image-recording section including a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image and a second element permanently attached to said photosensitive element for aiding in distributing a processing composition over said photosensitive element to effect processing of the latent image; and

a carrier sheet removably coupled to said imagerecording section for facilitating longitudinal film unit movement, said carrier sheet including a main portion that is resiliently flexible to permit bending of said carrier sheet into an arcuate configuration, said carrier sheet further including a leading end portion defining a transverse film unit dimension, said leading end portion having an elongate, substantially inflexible element extending transversely thereacross to prevent shortening of said transverse dimension during said bending of said carrier sheet into said arcuate configuration.

6. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a container for exhaustably providing a supply of processing composition to said image recording section between said photosensitive and second elements, said container having a trailing end removably coupled to said image-recording section and a leading end opposite to said trailing end, said container being permanently attached to and, when exhausted, bendable with said main portion of said carrier sheet to facilitate removal of said container together with said carrier sheet from said image-recording section, said leading end of said container being disposed adjacent to said leading end portion of said carrier sheet to permit bending of said container together with said bending of said carrier sheet without shortening said transverse dimension.

7. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim wherein said elongate, substantially inflexible element comprises a narrow stiffening bar permanently attached to said leading end portion of said carrier sheet.

8. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein said stiffening bar extends transversely across said leading end portion through at least said transverse dimension, and wherein said stiffening bar extends longitudinally of said film unit by less than .250 inches.

9. A photographic film unit comprising:

an image-recording section for recording a latent image that is processable to establish a visibly presentable image, said image-recording section defining a leading end;

a supply mechanism for applying a processing fluid to said image-recording section to effect processing of the latent image and establishment of the visibly presentable image, said supply mechanism including a container of the processing fluid;

a flexible carrier permanently attached to said container and releasably coupled to said imagerecording section, said carrier defining a leading end adjacent to said container, a longitudinal direction extending from said leading end of said carrier toward said leading end of said image-recording section, and a transverse direction substantially normal to said longitudinal direction; and

means including a stiffening element extending across said leading end of said carrier adjacent to said container for permitting longitudinal flexing of said carrier into a generally semicylindrical configuration while preventing any substantial transverse flexing of said leading end of said carrier out of parallelism with said generally semi-cylindrical configuration.

10. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 9 wherein said stiffening element comprises a substantially rigid bar extending entirely across said leading end of said carrier.

11. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 10 wherein said rigid bar is formed of molded plastic material.

12. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 10 wherein said rigid bar is formed of ferromagnetic material for facilitating handling of said film unit by magnetic means.

13. A self-processing film unit comprising:

an image-recording section including a photosensitive sheet for recording a latent image processable by a processing fluid and a second sheet that is superposed with said photosensitive sheet during processing of the latent image, said image-recording section defining a longitudinal direction in which it is movable for initiating processing of the latent image;

a resiliently flexible carrier sheet coupled to said image-recording section for facilitating handling of said image-recording section as it is moved longitudinally for processing, said carrier sheet including a leading end portion and a remainder portion; and

means including a stiffening member extending transversely across said leading end portion of said carrier sheet for rendering said leading end portion substantially more rigid than said remainder portion and for tending to maintain said leading end portion in substantially flat condition.

Claims

2. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transverse dimension defines an overall film unit width, and wherein said substantially rigid portion extends transversely of said film unit throughout said width and extends longitudinally of said film unit by not more than 0.250 inches to prevent said substantially rigid portion from substantially interfering with said bending of said supplying means longitudinally of said film unit.
3. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said substantially rigid portion extends longitudinally of said film unit by not substantially more than 0.150 inches.
4. 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 photosensitive element for aiding in distributing a fluid between said photosensitive element and said process sheet to effect processing of the latent image; a fluid supplying mechanism for introducing the fluid between said photosensitive element and said process sheet; and a carrier sheet releasably coupling said fluid supplying mechanism to said image-recording section, said carrier sheet defining a longitudinal direction in which said carrier sheet is easily bendable and a transverse direction in which said carrier sheet is not easily bendable at least in a transversely extending portion thereof adjacent to said fluid supplying mechanism, said transversely extending portion including an elongate, relatively rigid member extending transversely of said carrier sheet adjacent to said fluid supplying mechanism, to enable said carrier sheet to be easily bent in said longitudinal direction, so as to follow an arcuate path, without bending in said transverse direction at least in said transversely extending portion.
5. A self-processing film unit comprising: an image-recording section including a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image and a second element permanently attached to said photosensitive element for aiding in distributing a processing composition over said photosensitive element to effect processing of the latent image; and a carrier sheet removably coupled to said image-recording section for facilitating longitudinal film unit movement, said carrier sheet including a main portion that is resiliently flexible to permit bending of said carrier sheet into an arcuate configuration, said carrier sheet further including a leading end portion defining a transverse film unit dimension, said leading end portion having an elongate, substantially inflexible element extending transversely thereacross to prevent shortening of said transverse dimension during said bending of said carrier sheet into said arcuate configuration.
6. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a container for exhaustably providing a supply of processing composition to said image-recording section between said photosensitive and second elements, said container having a trailing end removably coupled to said image-recording section and a leading end opposite to said trailing end, said container being permanently attached to and, when exhausted, bendable with said main portion of said carrier sheet to facilitate removal of said container together with said carrier sheet from said image-recording section, said leading end of said container being disposed adjacent to said leading end portion of said carrier sheet to permit bending of said container together with said bending of said carrier sheet without shortening said transverse dimension.
7. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 5 wherein said elongate, substantially inflexible element comprises a narrow stiffening bar permanently attached to said leading end portion of said carrier sheet.
8. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein said stiffening bar extends transversely across said leading end portion through at least said transverse dimension, and wherein said stiffening bar extends longitudinally of said film unit by less than .250 inches.
9. A photographic film unit comprising: an image-recording section for recording a latent image that is processable to establish a visibly presentable image, said image-recording section defining a leading end; a supply mechanism for applying a processing fluid to said image-recording section to effect processing of the latent image and establishment of the visibly presentable image, said supply mechanism including a container of the processing fluid; a flexible carrier permanently attached to said container and releasably coupled to said image-recording section, said carrier defining a leading end adjAcent to said container, a longitudinal direction extending from said leading end of said carrier toward said leading end of said image-recording section, and a transverse direction substantially normal to said longitudinal direction; and means including a stiffening element extending across said leading end of said carrier adjacent to said container for permitting longitudinal flexing of said carrier into a generally semicylindrical configuration while preventing any substantial transverse flexing of said leading end of said carrier out of parallelism with said generally semi-cylindrical configuration.
10. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 9 wherein said stiffening element comprises a substantially rigid bar extending entirely across said leading end of said carrier.
11. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 10 wherein said rigid bar is formed of molded plastic material.
12. A self-processing film unit as claimed in claim 10 wherein said rigid bar is formed of ferromagnetic material for facilitating handling of said film unit by magnetic means.
13. A self-processing film unit comprising: an image-recording section including a photosensitive sheet for recording a latent image processable by a processing fluid and a second sheet that is superposed with said photosensitive sheet during processing of the latent image, said image-recording section defining a longitudinal direction in which it is movable for initiating processing of the latent image; a resiliently flexible carrier sheet coupled to said image-recording section for facilitating handling of said image-recording section as it is moved longitudinally for processing, said carrier sheet including a leading end portion and a remainder portion; and means including a stiffening member extending transversely across said leading end portion of said carrier sheet for rendering said leading end portion substantially more rigid than said remainder portion and for tending to maintain said leading end portion in substantially flat condition.