US2740374A - Applicator device for applying liquid coating to photographic prints - Google Patents

Description

A ril 3, 1956 J H. BOOTH ETAL 2,740,374

APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR APPLYING LIQUID COATING TO PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 1 1953 ATTORNEYS April 3, 1956 J. H. BOOTH ETAL 2,740,374

APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR APPLYING LIQUID COATING TO PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS Filed July 1, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5O 541L612 4s 44 54 (56 612 52 Min u 1 I fi 64 Hill I, r o I I 1 l I FIG. 3

FIG. 6

INVENTORS 24 FIG. 9 ya (6% ATTORNEYS April 3, 1956 J. H. BOOTH ETAL APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR APPLYING LIQUID COATING TO PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 1, 1953 FIG. 7

FIG. 8

ftk)

INVENTORS 346% M BY ATTORNEYS the invention, reference United States Patent APPLICATOR DEVICE F011 APPLYING LIQUID COATING T0 PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS Joseph H. Booth, Belmont, and Vaito K. Eloranta, Boston, Mass, assignors to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Application July 1, H53, Serial No. 365,472 23 Claims. (Cl. 118-241) This invention relates to a device for storing and applying a liquid coating composition to photographic prints.

The copending application of Edwin H. Land, Serial No. 302,742, filed August 5, 1952, now Patent 2,692,675, for Photographic Accessory discloses a means for applying a liquid coating composition to a finished photographic print in. order to improve the stabilization of the print and to protect the print from such hazards as dirt, dust, fingerprints, scratching, the reaction with the print of chemicals carried in the atmosphere, and the like. Heretofore, coating a print has been accomplished by removing an absorbent element, charged or impregnated witha quantity of liquid coating composition, from the container in which it is provided and manually holding and rubbing the absorbent element in frictional contact with the surface of the print to be coated.

It is one object of this invention to provide a novel means for carrying and storing the coating composition and for applying it to a. photographic print.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel coating apparatus which may be conveniently attached to a camera.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel applicator comprising a means for holding a photograph in contact with a coating element carrying a coating compound while a photographic print is drawn through said applicator, the latter also including means for preventing the scratching or marring of the surface to be coated.

A further object is to provide a coating means comprising a.coating element for applying the coating composition to a photographic print, said coating means incorporating a means for automatically presenting a new surface of the coating element .for contact with each successive print.

A still further object is the provision of a coating means wherein the means comprising the coating element and coating composition is removable and replaceable as .a unit.

Still another object is to provide a novel container means comprising elements cooperating to form a scalable container in which is mounted a coating means carrying a coating, composition, said elements-being adapted tofacilitate the coating of a photographic print.

Other objects of the invention will in partbe obvious and will in-part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elementsand arragement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature andobjects of should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, the container for the coating element being mountedin its holder and the assembly being wardly extending shown in operative position with a photograph inserted for coating;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one form of container showing the top and bottom portions;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the underside of the tion of the container;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the container in a clcsedposition substantially along a line corresponding to line 44'in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar view along line 55 in Fig. 3;

Fig.6 is a similar view along line 66 in Fig. 3;

Fig.7 is a plan view of the holder;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view in vertical section through the holder along line 8-8 in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a view of a vertical section through the applicator, showing a photograph in position for applying a coating and taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

This invention contemplates the provision of a coating device in a convenient form and suitable for use with, and mountable on, a camera of the Polaroid Land'type wherein a finished photographic print may be produced. The mechanism illustrated in Fig. l, by way of example, comprises a scalable container 20 removably mounted or retained in a holder 22 adapted for mounting on some device such as a camera.

As shown, container 20 comprises two major elements, a lower portion or chamber 24 (Fig. 2) and an upper portion or cover 26. Container 20 may be formed of any suitable material and, for example, may be molded from any suitable organic, plastic or resinous material. The lower element 24 comprises a bottom 28, and four side and end walls 3%, each side wall being provided with two short flanges or lugs 32 and 34 secured to or formed integrally with the walls. The four walls 30 in conjunction with bottom 28 define an elongated, rectangular, open chamber on one end of which is an extended portion centrally recessed with two upwardly extended sides.36 provided with slots 38 and indented to form shoulders it The upper element or cover 26 (Figs. 2 and 3) comprises a top 42 and four side and end walls 44, each side wall being provided with an L-shaped depending wall or flange 46 extending its entire length and defining, in conjunction with the wall, a channel. Oneend of cover 26 is provided with a centrally located, curved extension 48 on which are two pin-shaped lugs or stub shafts 50 and the other end is provided with a relatively short, outflange 52 to facilitate lifting the cover.

The widths across the outside of the upper element walls 44 are equal to the respective Widths across the inside of the lower element walls 30, permitting the upper element walls 44 to extend a short way inside the lower element 24 and preventing any lateral movement of the two elements with respect to one another when they are assembled to form a closed container 20. The lower element side walls 30 are received by the channel formed as previously indicated by walls 44 and flange 46 of the upper element. A rectangularly shaped gasket 54, for example of rubber, is preferably provided at the bottom of said channel or by being adhesively'afiixed thereto. The lower element walls 30 abut'against said gasket so as to hermetically seal the container when closed.

Stub shafts 50 of upper element extension 48 slide into slots 38 provided in lower element 24, thus permitting the cover26 to be raised or removed, or pivoted about-stub shafts 50. The aforementioned recess in lowerelement 24 is dapted to receive upper element extension 48.

A form of coating element 56 is shown as comprising an elongated coating cylinder or roll 58 of any appropriate absorbent material supported by or formed about a shaft 60 and charged or impregnated with a quantity of liquid coating composition in sufiicient volume to coat a plurality of prints. Coating roll 58 may be of cotton top porr 2 or wool, and may be of woven or nonwoven fabric, of felt or of a batt of material, or of a sponge such as cellulose acetate sponge. It is to be noted that the length of coating roll 58 is proportional to the print size and should be equal to the width of the print to be coated.

Coating element 56 may be rotatively mounted on cover 26 by some suitable means which is inexpensive and will facilitate assembly. A preferred mounting means comprises two laterally spaced supports 62 formed integrally with or secured to cover 26, each support 62 being provided with a V-shaped notch narrowing to a round hole of the same diameter as shaft 60 in which said shaft is journalled. Shaft 60 is retained in the hole by making the width across the juncture of the notch and hole less than the diameter of shaft 60, assembly being effected by forcing the shaft through the relatively narrow opening into the hole.

In order to provide a new portion of the surface of coating element 56 for contact with each successive photograph, a means is provided for rotating roll 53 to a new position each time said roll is raised relative to bottom portion 24 a suflicient distance to permit the operator to insert another photograph for passage through the coater. In the form shown, such means comprises a ratchet wheel 64 affixed to or formed integrally with shaft 60, a resilient operating pawl 66 biased to the left as seen in Fig 6 and affixed to lower element 24, and a resilient retaining pawl 68 affixed to cover 26 and biased to the right.

When cover 26 is raised to insert a photograph, ratchet wheel 64 is withdrawn from contact with operating pawl66 which then moves to the left to engage a new tooth of ratchet wheel 64 and acts against the tooth,

' causing ratchet wheel 64 to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction when cover 26 is closed with respect to lower element 24. Retaining pawl 68 bears against ratchet wheel 64 so as to oppose clockwise rotation when cover 26 is raised and operating pawl 66 is withdrawn from contact with ratchet wheel 64.

1 Holder 22 (Figs. 1, 7 and 8), adapted to be mounted on some device such as a camera, comprises a channelshaped frame member 72 for receiving and retaining bottom 24 of container 20. A retaining arm 76 formed so as to provide for substantial strength and rigidity is pivotally mounted on pin 78 between two laterally spaced supports 74 on one end of frame member 72. A resilient biasing means such as torsion spring as coiled around pin 78 is provided to impart a bias (clockwise as seen in Fig. 8) to retaining arm 76, urging the latter towar frame member 72. Retaining arm '76 comprises two lateral arms 82 extending downward between supports 74 and pivotally mounted on pin '78, a curved extension 84 on one end, and two protruding lugs 86 which engage supports '74 so as to oppose the tendency of retaining arm 76 to rotate under. the bias of spring iii loop 65 of which engages curved extension 84. The ends 96 of torsion spring 80 fit into slots in frame 72. Holder 22 may be either molded from any suitable plastic or resinous material or formed of any suitable material such as sheet metal in essentially the same functional form as illustrated and described. Holder 22 may be secured to a camera in any convenient position either temporarily or permanently by suitable means such as screws,

bolts or rivets. Such means, by way of illustration, comprises a fiat head bolt 92 extending through a counterbored hole in holder frame 72, said bolt being adapter to be screwed into a tapped hole such as a tripod receptacle provided in the camera.

The coating applicator is assembled by placing one end of container 20 in the channel of holder 22 and sliding container 20 toward retaining arm 76 until curved guide flange 94 on the end of retaining arm 76 coacts with the curved surface of the cover extension 43, lifting said retaining arm and permitting container 20 to he slid into the assembled position (Fig. 1). Retention of lowerelement 24 in channeled frame 72 is effected A. by two inwardly extending lateral flanges or lugs 96 on frame 72 positioned so as to engage corresponding flanges or lugs 32 on lower element 24 while lugs 34 slide into grooves 93 provided in the support end of channeled holder 70.

Means are provided for releasably interlocking retaining arm 76 with container cover 26. Such means comprises two downwardly extended fianges or detents 109 with opposed spherical protrusions 102 adapted to be received and retained by corresponding spherical recesses 164 in the outside walls 30 of cover 26. The width across the outside walls 39 is widened slightly at recess 104, with a groove 106 extending from the narrower portion of cover 26 to recess 104. The resiliency of the mate rial of retaining arm 76 makes it possible to assemble the elements by sliding cover 26 between locking detents Mill and protrusions 102 until protrusions 162 are interlocked with spherical recesses E4. The increased width of the outside of cover 26 will provide a more sccure interlocking while assembly is facilitated since looking detents 1520 and protrusions 102 will readily slide along the narrow portion of cover 26 through grooves 106 and into recesses 164.

The applicator device is adapted to be employed while mounted on some suitable support such as a camera. With the holder 22 mounted on a camera, container 20, comprising coating means 56, may be inserted into or removed, as a unit, from holder 22, permitting the latter to remain on the camera at all times. In order to coat a photographic print, the print is inserted between cover 26 and bottom 24 of container 20 with the surface to be coated in contact with coating roll mounted on cover 26. Cover 26 may be raised with respect to bottom 24 by manually applying a downward pressure to the angular, curved retaining arm extension 48, thus rotating retaining arm 76 so as to raise cover 26 interlocked therewith. When a print is in position between the container elements, the aforesaid pressure is released and coating element 56 is held in pressure contact with the print due to the bias imparted to retaining arm 76 by torsion spring acting through cover 26.

In order that a uniform pressure may be exerted on coating element 56, a pad or protruding lug 119 is provided on cover 26 to coact with retaining arm 76 so as to supply a downward pressure to the end of cover 26. With the surface of a photograph to be coated thus held in pressure contact with coating roll58, the operator may manually pull or draw a photograph through the coating device, thereby leaving a deposit of coating composition on its surface. When the photograph has been passed completely through the coating device, container 20 resumes a closed position, thereby actuating the indexing means whereby coating means 56 is rotated to a new position in readiness for coating another print when the process is repeated.

Means are provided for guiding the photograph through the coating device and for preventing the marring or scratching of the coated surface. The aforesaid means comprise vertical guide edges 112 of L-shaped flange 46, and fillets 114 between the horizontal edge 116 of flange 46 and guide edges 112. Fillets slide along the blank margins of the photographic print, serving to support cover 26 and prevent edge 116 of flange 46 from coming in contact with the coated surface of the print.

Various means may be provided for renewing the s' ply of coating composition or replacing the coating element carrying the coating composition. A preferred means comprises replaceable container 29, described herein, which may be inserted 'm or removed from holder 22 attached to the camera. it is suggested that a container may be supplied with each roll of film, said container carrying a volume of coating composition sufficient to coat the prints obtained from the roll of film. So, also, cover 26 withattached coating element 56 or coating :element 56 alone may be adapted to be replaceable, said limiting sense.

and comprising two relatively movable sections and an absorbent coating member impregnated with said liquid andmounted on one of said sections, said holding means cooperating with said sections to make accessible said coating member, the latter being adapted to contact a ;surface of a photographic print for applying a-coating to said surface.

2. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprising two relatively movable elements and spring means biasing said elements toward each other, carrying means comprising two relatively movable sections, an absorbent coating member charged with said liquid and mounted on one of said sections, one of said sections being interlocked with one of said elements, the other of said sections being releasably secured to the other of said elements, said holding means 11rging;said sections towards each other so as to hold said coating member in contact with the surface of ;a photographic print drawn between saidsections for applyingacoating to, said surface.

'3. Apparatus for applying liquid coating compositionto a photographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprising two relatively moveable elements,

means for carrying said coating composition, the lastnamed means comprising two sections movable with respect to one another and cooperating toform a container, and an absorbent coating member charged with said liquid and mountedwithin said container on one of said sections, said sections cooperating with said holding'means to make said coating member accessiblefor contact with the surface of a photographic print positioned between said sections for coating.

-4. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to. a photographic-print comprising, in combination, holding means comprising two relatively movable elements .and spring means urging said elements toward'each other,

means carrying said coating composition, the last-named .means being retained in said holding means between said elementsand comprising two sections movable with're- :spect to one another, said sections cooperating to form a scalable container when in a closed positiom-andan absorbent coatingmember impregnated with said liquid and carried within said container mounted on one of said sections, said coating member being adapted to be rubbed in contact with the surface of a photographic print .-for applying a coating to said surface, said elements of said holding means being so constructed and arranged as 'to cooperate with said container sections for holding said container in its closed position and for holding said coating member in contact with the surface of a print inserted between. said sections.

5. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, means carrying said coating composition, said carrying means ,comprising two reiatively movable sections so constructed as toform a containerv when at a closed position, holding :means comprising a holding ,elementformedto receive and, retain one of said sections, retaining elementmovable with respect to said holding element and spring .tions.

6. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, means carrying said coating composition, said means comprising two relatively movable sections so constructed as to form a scalable container whenbrought together in a closed position, holding means-comprising a frame member formed to receive and retain one of said sections, means for mounting said frame member on a camera, a retaining member movably mounted on said frame member, spring means urging said retaining member toward said frame member, said frame member holding said container at its closed position within said holding means, and an absorbent coating element charged with said liquid and carried within said container mounted on one of said sections, said coating element being adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said surface, said retaining member cooperating with the other of said sections for opening said container to make said coating element accessible, and for holding said coating element in contact with the surface of a print positioned between said sections.

7.'Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, means carrying said coating composition, said means comprising relatively movable cover and bottom sections so constructed asto form a container when brought together in a closed position, holding means comprising a frame member so constructed as to receive said bottom section, means retaining said bottom section within said member, a retaining member pivotally mounted on saidframe member, said retaining member being interlocked with said cover section and spring means biasing said retaining member toward said frame member, and .an absorbent coating element charged with said liquid-and carried within said container mounted on one of said sections, said coating element being adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print forapplying a coating to said surface, said retaining member normally holding said cover section in closed position with respect to said bottom section and providing means for raising said cover section with respect to saidbottom section andholding said coating means in contact with the surface of a photographic print positioned between said sections.

S. Apparatus'for applying liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, means carrying said coating composition, said means comprising relatively movable cover and bottom sections so constructed as to form a container when brought together in a closed position, said bottom section having lateral engagement lugs, holding means comprising a channeled frame member provided with laterally opposed lugs and grooves, said member being so constructed and arranged that said bottom section is slidably receivedin said channel, said engagement lugs on said bottom ,section being engaged by said lugs and grooves on said member for retaining said element in said channel, a retaining'member movably mounted on said frame member, spring means biasing said retaining member toward said frame member, said frame member holding said con taincr mounted in said holding means between-said members at its closed position, and an absorbent'coating elegreases ment impregnated with said liquid and carried within said container mounted on one of said sections, said retaining 'member' being so formed as to cooperate with said cover section to separate said cover section from said bottom section to make accessible coating means carried within said container on one of said sections, said coating element being adapted to contact a surface of a photographic print positioned between said sections for applying a coating to said surface.

9. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, means carrying said coating composition, said means comprising two relatively movable sections so constructed as to form acontainer when brought together at a closed position, holding means comprising a frame member adapted to receive and retain one of said sections, a substantially rigid retaining lever pivotally mounted on said frame member, and resilient means biasing said retaining lever toward said frame member, means for releasably interlocking said retaining lever with the other of said sections, the last-named means comprising lateral detents with inwardly opposed protrusions mounted on said lever and extending toward said frame member, said other of said sections being retained between said retaining lever and said frame member, said protrusions being releasably engaged by corresponding lateral depressions in said other section, and an absorbent coating element charged with said liquid and carried within said container mounted on one of said sections, said coating element being adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said surface, said retaining lever normally holding said container in closed position and being capable of moving said one section with respect to said other section and of cooperating with said other sections for holding said coating element in contact with the surface of a print positioned between said sections.

10. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprising a frame member, means for mounting said member on a camera, a retaining member pivotally mounted at one end on said frame member and spring means biasing said retaining member toward said frame member, means for carrying said coating composition comprising relatively movable bottom and cover sections, said sections forming a container when brought together in a closed position, means comprising portions of said frame member for said bottom section for retaining the latter within said frame member, said retaining member including meanstor releasably interlocking said member with said cover section, said retaining member holding said cover section in a closed position with respect to said bottom section while permitting movement of said cover section with respect to said bottom section, and an absorbent coating element impregnated with said liquid, carried Within said container and mounted on one of said sections, said coating element being adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said surface, said retaining member providing means cooperating with said cover section to hold said coating element in contact with the surface of a photographic print positioned between said sections,

11. Inapparatus of the character described, in combination, means for carrying a coating composition comprising two relatively movable elements, resilient means biasing said elements towards one another, absorbent coating applicator means impregnated with said composition and rotatably mounted on one of said elements between said e.ements, said applicator means being adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said surface when the latter is positioned between said elements in contact with said applicator means, and indexing means associated with said elements and responsive to movement of said elements relative to one another for partially rotating said applicator means when said elements are separated for insertion of a print therebetween so that a new portion of said applicator means is presented for contact with the surface of each succeeding print.

12. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprising two relatively movable members biased toward one another, i cans for carrying said coating composition comprising two relatively movable sections retained in said holding means and so constructed as to form a container when brought'together in a closed position, coating applicator means rotatably mounted within said container on one of said sections, said applicator means being adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said surface, said print being held between said sections in contact with said applicator means, and indexing means for par tially rotating said applicator means so that a new por titon of said applicator means is presented for contact with the surface of each succeeding print when said sections are moved with respect to one another to insert a print therebetween, said indexing means comprising an operating member mounted on one of said sections and a member responsive to said operating member associated with said applicator means mounted on the other of said sections.

13. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means for carrying a coating composition comprising two relatively rnovabie sections biased toward one another, coating applicator means rotatably mounted on one of said sections between said sections, said applicator means comprising a substantially rigid support shaft and a thickness of liquid absorbent material surrounding said shaft and charged with a volume of said liquid coating composition, said applicator means be'mg adapted to be rubbed in contact with the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said surface, and indexing means for partially rotating said applicator means so as to present a new portion of said applicator means for contact with each successive photograph when said sections are moved with respect to one anotier for inserting a photograph between said sections, said indexing means comprising a ratchet wheel affixed to said support shaft, a resilient operating pawl affixed to the other of said sections so as to engage and partially rotate said ratchet wheel when said sections are moved toward one another and a resilient retaining pawl mounted on said one of said sections adjacent to and in contact with said ratchet wheel for restraining the rotation of the latter when said operating pawl is withdrawn from contact with said ratchet wheel.

14. Apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprising two elements movable with respect to one another, a scalable container comprising cover and bottom sections retained in said holding means, means for raising or pivoting said cover section with respect to said bottom-section, means aflixed to one of said sections for sealing said container when said sections are brought together at a closed position, means comprising a portion of one of said sections for guiding a photographic print through said container between said sections, applicator means mounted within said container on the other of said sections, said applicator means being adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said surface, said one of said sections providing means for holding said applicator means in contact with said print, and means comprising a portion of one of said sections for preventing the contact between said section and said coated surface.

15. In apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to a photographic print, a scalable container comprising, in combination, cover and bottom sections, means comprising a portion of said sections for pivoting or raising said cover section with respect to said bottom section, means aifixed to one of said sections for sealing said container when said sections are brought together at a closed position, applicator means adapted to contact thesurface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said surface,-means for pivotally mounting said applicator means within saidcontainer on said cover sec tion, said bottom section providing means for holding a print in contact with said applicator means, said print being inserted between said sections and manually drawn through said container in contact with said applicator means, means comprising a portion of said cover section 'for guiding said print through said container, means comprisinganother portion of said cover section for supporting said section so as to prevent the same from con- 'tacting the coated surface of said print, and indexing means'for partially rotating said applicator means each time said cover section is raised orpivoted with respect to said bottom'section' to insert a print.

16.'In apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to a photographic print, a scalable container comprising, incombination, cover and bottom sections biased toward one another, means provided in extensions of said "sections for raising or pivoting said cover section'with respect'to saidbottom section, said bottom section 'be- "ing'so'constructed' as to form an open rectangular containerwith upstanding end and side walls, said cover sec- "tion "comprising a rectangular member'with dependent end'and'side' walls adapted to fit within said walls of said bottom section,'each of said walls of saidcover section being'provided with an L-shaped depending'wall forminga channel therewith, sealing means comprisinga' rec "tangular gasket afiixed to said cover section within said channel, said walls "of said bottom section abutting against "said-gasket between-the sides of said channel for sealing said container in a closed position, and applicator means "m'o'untedwithin said container on said'cover'section, said applicator means being adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said surface,

said bottom section providing means for-holding said print in contact with said applicator means.

17. In apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to a photographic print, a container compris- -ing,in' combination, cover and bottom sections 'biased 'toward one another, means comprising portions of said sections for raising or pivoting said cover section with re- "specttovsaid bottom section, applicator means mounted within said container on-said coversection, said. applicator means being adapted to be rubbed in contact with the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said surface, said cover section comprising a rectangular member with depending side walls, each of said side walls being provided with an L-shaped depending wall forming a channel with said side wall, said bottom section being provided with upstanding side walls so constructed and arranged as to fit within said channel, said bottom section providing means for holding a photographic print inserted between said sections in contact with said applicator means, said print being manually drawn through said container in contact with said applicator means, means for guiding said print through said container and comprisilng downwardly extended portions of said L-shaped depending wall, said portions having vertical guide edges, the distance between said edges being equal to the width of said print, said portions providing the ends of a slot formed by said cover and bottom elements through which said print is drawn, and means for supporting said cover section so as to prevent said section from contacting the coated surface of said print, the last-named means comprising fillets between said vertical guide edges and the edge of said L-shaped depending wall, said fillets being adapted to bear on margins provided on said print.

18. Apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprising two relatively movable members biased toward one another, a container retained in said holding means and replaceable as a unit, said confor applying a coating to said surface, the other of said sections providing means for holding said print inserted between said sections in contact with said applicator, means comprising portions of one of said sections for guiding .said print through said container, said portions comprising the ends of a slot formed by said bottom and cover sections through which said print is drawn, and means comprising portions of said one of said-sections for supporting said section to prevent said section from contacting the coated surface of a print, the last-named means being adapted to bear on blank marginsprovided on said print.

'19. Apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprising two relatively movable members and spring means urging said members towardone anothen'means for mounting said holding means" on a camera, a container retained within said'holding means between said members, said container comprising cover and bottom sections, means releasably interlocking one of said sections with one ofsaid members, the other of said members including means for retaining the other of said sections, said'holding means cooperating with said container to provide means for pivoting or raisingsaid cover section with respect to said bottomsection, means afiixed to'one of'said sections for sealingsaid container when said sections are brought together in a closed position, said holding means normally holding said-container in closed position, applicator means mounted within said surface, the other of said sections providing means for holdingsaid print inserted between said sections in. conmet with said applicator means mounted onsaid one sec tion, 'saidsections being urged toward each other by'said "members of said holding means, means for pivotally -mountingsaid applicator=means within said container, in-

dexing means including a member secured to said applicator means and a member mounted on said other section, said indexing means being responsive to relative movement of said sections for partially rotating said applicator means each time said cover section is pivoted or raised with respect to said bottom section for inserting a print between said sections, means for guiding said print through said container, and means for supporting said one of said sections for preventing said section from contacting the coated surface of a photographic print, at least one element of said apparatus, including said container as a unit, being replaceable, thereby providing means for replenishing the supply of coating composition.

20. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprising at least two elements movable with respect to one another, carrying means comprising two relatively movable sections mounted in said holding means, an absorbent coating member charged with said liquid composition and adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said print surface, said coating member having a coating surface a portion of which is normally positioned for contact with the surface of a photographic print, said coating member being mounted on one of said sections for movement with respect to said one section so that different portions of said coating surface may be positioned for contact with a print surface, said holding means cooperemanatv-ating with said carrying means to move said sections with ing means comprising two relatively movable members operatively connected to one another and spring means urging said members toward one another, carrying means comprising two sections movable with respect to one another to permit the positioning of a photographic print therebetween, said sections being retained in said holding means between said members and urged toward one another thereby, liquid applicator means mounted on one of said sections, said applicator means including a liquidabsorbent coating member charged with said liquid coating composition and adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to the print surface, said coating member having a coating surface a portion of which is normally positioned for contact with the surface of a photographic print, said coating member being mounted on one of said sections for movement with respect to said one section so that difierent portions of said coating surface may be positioned for contact with a print surface, and means associated with one of said sections and said applicator means and responsive to relative movement of said sections and cooperating for moving said absorbent coating member when said sections are moved relative to one another in order to insert said photographic print between said sections.

22. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to the surface of a photographic print comprising, in

Y combination, holding means comprising two relatively movable members operatively connected with one an other and spring means urging said members toward one another, carrying means comprising twosections movable with respect to one another and constructed so as to form a container when brought together in a closed position, said sections being so constructed as to be retained in said holding means between said movable members, applicator means including absorbent means charged with a volume of said coating composition and having a coating surface adapted to be rubbed in contact with the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to said surface, said liquid applicator means carried within said container and rotatably mounted on one of said sections with a portion of said coating surface in position to coat a print, said holding means cooperating with said carrying means to hold said print between said sections in contact with said portion of said coating surface of said absorbent means, and indexing means mounted within said container on the other of said sections and said applicator means and responsive to the relative movement thereof for partially rotating said applicator means each time said sections are separated for inserting a print between the other of said sections and said applicator means.

23. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprising two relatively movable members operatively connected with one another and spring means urging said members toward one another, carrying means comprising two relatively movable sections so constructed as to be retained in said holding means between said members, coating applicator means including absorbent means impregnated with said liquid and having a coating surface adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print for applying a-coating to said surface, said coating applicator means being rotatably mounted on one of said sections therebetween with a portion of said coating surface positioned to contact a print surface, said holding means cooperating with said sections to urge them toward one another, said print being held between said applicator means and the other of said sections in contact with a portion of said coating surface of said absorbent means, and indexing means secured to said applicator means and the other of said sections and responsive to relative movement thereof and cooperating for partially rotating said applicator means each time said sections are separated and a print inserted therebetween, said indexing means rotating said applicator means so that another portion of the surface of said applicator means is presented for contact with the surface of each succeeding print.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,057,712 Crompton Apr. 1, 1913 1,385,022 Mock July 19, 1921 2,117,272 Brooks May 7, 1938 2,213,749 Strauss Sept. 3, 1940 2,541,591 Lemmon Feb. 13, 1951

Images