US3654848A

US3654848A - System for processing a strip of photographic material

Info

Publication number: US3654848A
Application number: US209A
Authority: US
Inventors: John R Sharp
Original assignee: Polaroid Corp
Current assignee: Polaroid Corp
Priority date: 1970-01-02
Filing date: 1970-01-02
Publication date: 1972-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-11

Abstract

Motion picture film processing system employing a dispensing container adapted to express processing fluid onto a strip of exposed film as the film is progressively drawn thereacross. A pair of sheet materials are bonded together to define a substantially flat circular cavity in which a processing fluid is initially stored. A bond is further formed between these materials extending radially of the cavity while a section of the peripheral bond adjacent thereto is weaker than the other sections of the peripheral bond. This weakened bond section is connected to the dispensing container. Thus, when a force applying member is rotated around this collapsible container in a circular path, the radially extending bond acts as a weir to resist movement of the fluid therein. The resulting hydraulic pressure ruptures the weakened bond section causing the fluid to be expelled therethrough into the dispensing container. This system can advantageously be incorporated into a compact, multipurpose, film handling cassette adapted to be mounted in both a camera and a projector and in which the collapsible container is positioned in operative relationship with a rotatably mounted section of the cassette''s housing.

Description

United States Patent 4 Sharp I [54] SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING A STRIP OF PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL 72] Inventor: John R. Sharp, Squantum, Mass. [73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass. [22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1970 [21] App]. No.: 209

[52] US. Cl. ..95/89 R, 95/13, 352/78 [51] Int. Cl. ..G03d 5/02 [58] Fieldofsearch ..95/13, 14,89 R;352/72,78; 250/68, 69; 222/95, 101

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,483,809 12/1969 Schmidt et al. ..95/89 X 2,653,732 9/1953 Land ..222/10l X 3,521,541 7/1970 Schmidt et a] ..95/13 3,155,024 11/1964 Landm ..95/l3 3,396,647 8/1968 Downey ..95/13 2,668,637 2/1954 Gilmore ..222/95 Primary Examiner.lohn M. Horan Assistant Examiner-Alan A. Mathews Attorney-Brown and Mikulka, William D. Roberson and Robert L. Berger [151 3,654,848 [451 Apr. 11, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT Motion picture film processing system employing a dispensing container adapted to express processing fluid onto a strip of exposed film as the film is progressively drawn thereacross. A pair of sheet materials are bonded together to define a substantially flat circular cavity in which a processing fluid is initially stored. A bond is further formed between these materials extending radially of the cavity while a section of the peripheral bond adjacent thereto is weaker than the other sections of the peripheral bond. This weakened bond section is connected to the dispensing container. Thus, when a force applying member is rotated around this collapsible container in a circular path, the radially extending bond acts as a weir to resist movement of the fluid therein. The resulting hydraulic pressure ruptures the weakened bond section causing the fluid to be expelled therethrough into the dispensing container. This system can advantageously be incorporated into a compact, multipurpose, film handling cassette adapted to be mounted in both a camera and a projector and in which the collapsible container is positioned in operative relationship with a rotatably mounted section of the cassettes housing.

23 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR n ma SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR. JOHN R. SHARP and PATENTEDAPR 11 I972 SHEET 3 OF 3 wow nul

M mm H INVENTOR. JOHN R. SHARP ATif RNF' SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING A STRIP OF PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to photography, and more particularly, to an improved system for initially storing processing fluid and subsequently applying a uniform coating of that fluid onto an exposed strip of photographic material.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many important improvements have been made in recent years in motion picture photography to reduce or simplify the functions performed by the operator. In this respect, cassette or cartridge systems are now playing a major role in this rapidly expanding field. For example, film handling cassettes are now available which are adapted to be quickly mounted as a unit into a camera for exposure purposes. After the film has been exposed, the cassette containing the filmcan be quickly removed from the camera and sent to a processing laboratory. Also, specially designed projectors are now available which accept quick mounting cassettes containing fully processed film. These latter systems not only greatly ease the job of projecting the film, but also provide a convenient and permanent storage container for the film, i.e., a cassette from which it is never necessary to withdraw the film for projection purposes.

Most recently, radically different cassette systems have been developed which permit the photographer himself to quickly and easily process and project a strip of motion picture film shortly after the pictures have been taken. Exemplary of such new and unique systems are those described in the following copending applications:

Serial No. Inventor (s) Filing Date 755,901 Edwin H. Land Aug. 28, I968 76l,77l Rogers B. Downey Sept. 23, I968 767,609 Herbert A. Bing Oct. I5, 1968 776,481 Rogers B. Downey Nov. 18, 1968 772,789 Vaito K. Eloranta Nov. 1, 1968 Benjamin C. Ruggles 788,897 Rogers B. Downey .Ian. 3, 1969 813,427 Rogers B. Downey Apr. 4, I969 8I3,469 Rogers B. Downey Apr. 4, I969 813,568 Rogers B. Downey Apr. 4, I969 Paul W. Thomas 838,822 Rogers B. Downey July 3, I969 Gerald H. Cook 838,783 Rogers B. Downey July 3, 1969 Philip G. Baker Gerald H. Cook 838,794 Rogers B. Downey July 3, I969 838,793 Philip G. Baker July 3, 1969 838,832 Rogers B. Downey July 3, I969 Philip G. Baker Gerald H. Cook 373.297 Rogers B. Downey Nov. 3, I969 885,454 Gerald H. Cook Dec. I6, I969 Rogers B. Downey The above applications with Ser. Nos. 776,481 and 838,794 are now, respectively, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,537,784 issued on Nov. 3, 1970, and 3,593,643 issued on July 20, 1971.

All of these copending applications and issued patents are assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The systems described in these applications employ a film handling cassette and, in most instances, one from which the film is not removed during the exposure, processing and projection operations.

In commercial and industrial operations, such rapid motion picture processing systems are not only an improvement as a matter of convenience, but have other important effects as well. For instance, motion picture newsreel programs can be presented on television for the viewing public shortly after events of interest have occured and been photographed.

In some of these new systems, the processing fluid is initially stored in an applicator, in others the processing fluid is initially stored in a frangible container from which it is later released into a reservoir of the cassette to facilitate the processing operation, while in still others the processing fluid is initially stored in a rupturable pod. Considerable funds and effort are currently being expended to further improve and refine various features of these systems in order to reduce their cost, to further simplify the task of the operator, to improve their reliability, and to improve the quality of the final product. The present invention is directed to an improved system for processing a strip of photographic material of the type in which the processing fluid is initially retained in a podtype collapsible container.

An important object of this invention, therefore, is to provide an improved system for applying a processing fluid to a strip of exposed photographic material.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide an improved system for initially storing processing fluid and then subsequently introducing that fluid to an applicator system disposed in operative relationship to a strip of exposed photographic material.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a unique processing fluid storage and applicator system for use in treating a strip of exposed photographic material.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a compact motion picture film handling cassette which can be utilized in both a camera and projector and which contains an improved system for treating a strip of exposed film with processing fluid.

Also, an object of this invention is to provide a compact multipurpose motion picture film handling cassette employing an improved system for initially storing and subsequently applying processing fluid to a strip of exposed motion picture film.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a compact motion picture film handling cassette from which the film need not be removed during exposure, processing and projection operations, and which contains a novel system for initially storing processing fluid and then subsequently feeding that processing fluid to an applicator positioned in operative relationship to a strip of exposed motion picture film.

Yet an additional object of this invention is to provide an improved device for releasably storing processing fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers have been employed in the different figures to denote the same parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cut-away plan view of a compact multipurpose motion picture film handling cassette embodying features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view illustrating various details of the processing fluid storage and applicator system employed in the cassette of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic cut-away perspective view of a projector unit adapted to receive the cassette of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the opposite side of the cassette from that seen in FIG. 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its illustrated embodiment, the invention briefly comprises a compact motion picture film handling cassette having a film gate to facilitate exposure and projection operations and a processing fluid storage and applicator system. Two sheets of material are bonded together to form a cavity therebetween in which the processing fluid is initially retained.

Extending radially across the cavity is a weir formed by another bond between the sheets of material. A section of the peripheral bond defining the cavity adjacent the weir is formed so as to be substantially weaker than the other sections of that bond. This weakened bond section is connected to a dispensing container of an applicator system which includes a reservoir chamber and an orifice through which processing fluid may be expressed from the reservoir chamber onto an exposed strip of photographic material as such material is progressively drawn thereacross.

The collapsible container of processing fluid defined by the bonded sheet materials is mounted within the cassette against a support surface and overlayed by a rotatable section of the cassette's housing. This rotatable housing section has a plurality of radially extending projections firmly seated against the collapsible container.

The cassette is initially furnished with a strip of unexposed photographic material coiled therein and includes means for effecting reversible transport of that strip of material across the film gate and the dispensing containers orifice. Exposure operations are facilitated by mounting the cassette in an appropriate camera having drive means to effect the advancement of the film strip across the film gate in incremental steps. Subsequently, the cassette is removed from the camera and inserted into a projector unit. Such unit includes means for engaging the rotatable section of the cassettes housing and imparting a rotational motion thereto. Movement of the fluid within the container is resisted by the containers weir thereby developing an hydraulic pressure causing the weakened section of the containers bond to rupture and the fluid to be expelled therethrough into the dispensing containers reservoir chamber.

The projector also includes means for effecting selective reversible transport of the film strip across the film gate and applicator systems orifice. Thus, as the film strip is returned to its initial coiled position, it passes across the applicators orifice and draws processing fluid therefrom to form a uniform coating thereof along its entire photoexposed length. During the film strips next advancement within the cassette, projection of the visible images now formed thereon is effected as it once again progressively passes across the cassettes film gate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated as facilitating the application of a compatible processing fluid to a film structure which comprises both a photosensitive imagerecording layer and an image-receiving layer in which a visible image may be formed by image-forming substances transferred by diffusion from the photosensitive layer without necessitating the subsequent removal of the processed photosensitive layer. This highly desirable type of film structure is made possible by a developed negative image having low covering power.

In typical silver halide diffusion transfer-reversal processes for the production of black-and-white images, a silver halide developer and a silver halide solvent are applied in an aqueous alkaline solution to a photoexposed silver halide stratum or emulsion where they develop exposed silver halide to silver and react with unreduced silver halide to form a soluble silver complex. This complex, in order to form a positive print, is transferred and reduced to silver on a silver-receptive stratum upon which the silver halide stratum has been superposed. It has generally been the practice, in the completion of this process, to separate the silver-receptive and silver halide strata in order to render the positive image visible, particularly when it is to be viewed in transmitted light.

However, as indicated above, the positive print may be rendered visible without separation of the silver halide and silver receptive strata. For example, the silver receptive stratum may be so constituted as to provide an unusually vigorous silver precipitating environment which causes the silver deposited upon it, in comparison with silver developed in the silver halide stratum, to possess very high covering power, i.e., opacity for a given mass of reduced silver. If the silver halide is in such a concentration as to give rise only when fully developed to a predetermined low maximum density, and if the silver complex is reduced to silver'in a vigorous silver precipitating environment, the resulting negative and positive images in superposition provide a composite that presents a good image for projection purposes as long as the images are carried on a light-transmitting support. Since the silver halide stratum and the silver receptive stratum need not be separated, a simplification of the overall silver halide diffusion transfer-reversal process is achieved.

A composite film assembly of this type as well as processing compositions for producing a stable black-and-white image which can be viewed by transmitted light without the necessity of removing the processed negative image-containing photosensitive layer is shown in prior U.S. Pat. No. 2,861,885 of Edwin H. Land which was issued on Nov. 25, 1958. Other composite film assemblies capable of producing photographic records which can be exhibited in full color without the necessity of removing the processed photosensitive layer are shown in prior Edwin H. Land U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,726,154 issued Dec. 6, 1955 and 2,944,894 issued July 12, 1960. All of these prior patents are assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

However, it should be noted that the present invention is not directed to the chemistry by which visible images are formed in an exposed photosensitive material and/or formed in an image-receiving stratum associated therewith. While an illustrated preferred embodiment of this invention is shown effecting the application of a compatible processing fluid to a film structure not requiring the removal of the photosensitive layer after visible image formation is completed, the invention itself is also applicable for use with other types of processing fluids and film structures.

The illustrated embodiment of this invention may best be understood by first referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings which illustrates a multipurpose compact motion picture film handling cassette incorporating the features of the present invention. As shown therein, such cassette 10 is basically constituted by a pair of

housing members

12 and 14 connected together to form an enclosed opaque housing. In this embodiment, the cassette 10 is relatively flat and generally rectangular parallelepiped in configuration.

A supply spool 16 and a takeup spool 18 are coplanarly mounted within the cassette 10 for rotation about spaced parallel axes. An unexposed strip of photographic material 20 of the type previously indicated, provided with perforations 22 (See FIG. 3) and with leaders afiixed to the supply spool 16 and to the takeup spool 18, is initially substantially entirely coiled around the supply spool. Passing from the supply spool 16 to the takeup spool 18, the strip of photographic material 20 sequentially travels around

idlers

24, 26, 28, 30 and 32. The

idlers

28 and 30 are positioned in adjacent comers of the cassette 10 on the same side of the supply spool 16 and the takeup spool 18. Additionally, the idler 26 is advantageously positioned in the comer of the cassette 10 disposed on the other side of the supply spool 16 from the takeup spool 18 and on the opposite sides of both of those spools from the

idlers

28 and 30.

Idler 28, around which the film strip 20 passes on its way from the supply spool 16 to the pressure plate assembly 42 may, if desired, be mounted on a movable post spring biased toward the comer which it occupies in the housing of the cassette l0 and capable of being moved resiliently inward away from that comer. Also, idler 30 may be spring biased toward the corner which it occupies in the cassette 10 and capable of being moved resiliently inward away from that corner. This represents one way to minimize strain exerted on the film strip 20 by the conventional intermittent film advancement structure of the camera and projector with which this cassette is intended to be employed.

Intermediate the

idlers

28 and 30 the film strip 20 passes through an exposure and projection station 34. In this connection, cut-out portions of the

housing members

12 and 14 define an opening or film gate 36 through which image carrying light rays may enter and leave the cassette l0 and, further, through which an aperture plate (not shown) of a camera and projector may be introduced into the cassette. Also, the side wall 38 of the cassette includes an opening 40 communicating with the film gate 36 for purposes which will subsequently become obvious.

Mounted within the exposure and projection station 34 so as to be in alignment with the opening 36 is a pressure plate assembly 42 having an aperture 43 and, further, which mounts a light reflecting element 44. It will be noted that this light reflecting element 44 is disposed in operable relationship to both the opening or film gate 36 and the opening 40 in the cassettes side wall 38. Thus, for projection purposes, light rays from an externally mounted light source may be introduced into the cassette 10 through the opening 40 onto the reflecting element 44 which redirects those rays outwardly of the cassette through the pressure plate s aperture 43 and the section of the film strip disposed thereacross. Preferably, this light reflecting element may take a configuration similar to the prismatic element described in more detail in the aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 767,609 of Herbert A. Bing. As such, it includes a concave light receiving transparent face adjacent the cassettes opening 40 and a flat reflecting surface which reflects light received into the element through its concave transparent face outwardly thereof through a convex transparent face adjacent the film strip 20.

The pressure plate assembly 42 also includes a leaf spring 46 which seats against a boss 48 formed integrally with the housing member 12 to continually urge that assembly towards the cassette s opening 36. This assembly 42 is mounted within the cassette 10 so that it may be displaced inwardly of the cassette away from the opening 36 against the force of the spring 46 whenever an aperture plate of a camera or projector (not shown) is positioned in operative relationship therewith. In this connection, projections 51 extending from

respective housing members

12 and 14 extend through shoulders 53 of the pressure plate assembly 42 to limit movement of that assembly toward and away from the film gate 36. Forming part of the assembly 42 is a mounting bracket 50 which serves to retain the light reflecting element 44 in position with respect to the pressure plate assembly and, more particularly, with respect to the aperture 43 of that assembly.

Axially afiixed to the supply spool 16 and to the takeup spool 18, respectively, are a pair of spur gears 54 and 56. These spur gears 54 and 56 are preferably positioned with their faces flush with the generally flat exterior surface of the cassettes side wall 38. More specifically, these gears 54 and 56 are respectively mounted for rotation within recessed portions 60 and 62 of that side wall 38.

Extending from an edge 72 of the cassette 10, in which edge the opening or film gate 36 is formed, into communication with the recessed portions 60 and 62, respectively, are a pair of

channels

74 and 76. These

channels

74 and 76 are spaced closer together than are the axes of the spur gears 54 and 56 so as to respectively form, in conjunction with the recessed portions 60 and 62, substantially right angle depressions in the generally flat exterior surface of the cassettes side wall 38. This arrangement permits a pair of externally coplanarly mounted driving spur gears to be displaced along the

channels

74 and 76 from a position adjacent the cassettes edge 72 into engagement with the cassettes spur gears 54 and 56. When such externally mounted driving spur gears are adapted to alternately drive the cassettes gear 56in a clockwise direction and the cassettes gear 54 in a counterclockwise direction (As viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings), means are available to effect reversible transport of the film strip 20 between the spools 16 and 18 and through the exposure and projection station 34. Light sealing

arcuate members

78 and 80 respectively serve to control the disposition of the film strip 20 around the spools 16 and 18 during such operations. It will be noted that, in an arrangement of this type, the plane of the axes of each cassette spur gear 54 and 56 and its associated externally mounted driving spur gear is generally perpendicular to the

channels

74 and 76.

Apertures 82 and 84 pass through the cassette '5 side wall 38 in axial alignment with the

idlers

30 and 32, respectively. Thus, externally mounted force applying members may be selectively introduced into the cassette 10 through these

apertures

82 and 84 into engagement or contact with the

idlers

30 and 32 to preclude further rotation of such idlers. In this manner, these

idlers

30 and 32 may be effectively snubbed during the film exposure and projection operations. To preserve the light-tight nature of the interior of the cassette, means are provided to effect a light seal adjacent to each

aperture

82 and 84. In this connection, annular projections 86 and 88 extend interiorly of the cassette 10 from the wall 38 in axial alignment with the

apertures

82 and 84, respectively. Also,

annular projections

90 and 92 extend from the

idlers

30 and 32, respectively, into side-by-side light sealing relationship with the projections 86 and 88.

Intermediate the

idlers

26 and 28, the film strip 20 passes through a normally inoperative processing station 94. Mounted within this processing station 94 is an applicator system including a dispensing container 96 (See also FIGS. 2 and 3). One side 98 of this container 96 is formed as an are having the same center of curvature as the supply spool 16 and the light sealing arcuate member 78, thereby further serving, in conjunction with that arcuate member, to control the disposition of that section of the film strip 20 disposed around the supply spool. An orifice 100 communicating with a reservoir chamber 102 of the dispensing container 96 terminates in a rectangular projection 104 extending from the face 106 of that container. Mounted for selective displacement along the containers face 106 is slider 108 across which a strip of flexible material 110 is disposed.

A plurality of pins 112 extend from the slider 108 to mount a leaf spring element 104. This spring element 114 continually urges a pressure plate 116 that is carried between the pins 112 in the direction of the strip of flexible material 110. Extending from the container 96 are a pair of spaced apart shoulders 118 and 120 each of which defines a guide track 122 comprising raised

end portions

124 and 126 and intermediate recessed portion 128 and tapered section 130. The force of the spring 114 continually seats opposite ends of the pressure plate 116 against respective sections of the guide tracks 122. Initially, the strip of photographic material 20 is positioned intermediate of, and in spaced apart relationship to both, the strip of flexible material 110 and the pressure plate 116. At such time, an opening 132 provided through the strip of flexible material 110 is disposed out of alignment with the orifice 100 whereby the flexible material serves to seal that orifice. During a subsequent upward displacement (As viewed in FIG. 1 of the drawings) of the slider 108 along the container 96, the pressure plate 116 is moved off the raised end portions 124 of the guide tracks 122 against their recessed portions 128 and slideably engages the film strip 20 against the flexible material 110. The opening 132 is provided through the strip of flexible material 110 so as to be in alignment with the orifice 100 and to extend over the side of the projection 104 closest the idler 26 at this time. Further, this side of the projection is tapered to define a doctor blade and the flexible material 110 turns inwardly towards the dispenser containers face 106 after passing thereacross. It will thus be appreciated that any processing fluid in the dispensing container 96 will be expressed therefrom through its orifice 100 onto the section of film strip 20 disposed across the projection 104.

During further upward displacement of the slider 108 along the guide tracks 122, the pressure plate 116 moves along the tapered sections 130 of those tracks onto their raised end portions 126. Thus, the pressure plate 116 is again displaced away from the container 96 to permit the film strip 20 to return to its original spaced apart relationship with respect to both the strip of flexible material 110 and the pressure plate. At the same time, the flexible materials opening 132 is removed from alignment with the containers orifice 100 thereby effecting a rescaling of the container 96.

To facilitate such selective displacement of the slider 108 along the container 96, that member includes an arm 134 having a circular aperture 136 positioned in alignment with an opening 138 (See FIG. 3) appropriately provided through the cassettes wall 38. Thus a displaceable externally mounted force applying member 134 may be inserted into the cassette and seated in the sliders aperture 136. When the slider 108 has been displaced into its position wherein the pressure plate 116 is seated on the guide tracks raised end portions 126, a projection 140 on the container 96 engages a recess 142 appropriately provided in the sliders arm 134 to preclude any further movement of the slider within the cassette 10.

As best seen in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the housing member 12 is formed with a recessed portion 144 defining a support surface 146 and enclosed by a cover plate 148. This cover plate 148 is circular in configuration and is provided with an annular lip 150 around its peripheral edge which seats in a complementary recess 152 provided in the cassettes housing member 12. This arrangement facilitates rotatable movement of the cover plate 148 with respect to the other sections of the cassettes housing as will subsequently be explained in more detail. Preferably, this plate 148 is formed of a relatively thin piece of flexible polymeric material, such as polystyrene, to facilitate its being snapped" into place in the cassette s housing member 12. Polystyrene materials have a relatively low coefficient of friction thus enhancing easy rotation of the cover plate 42 in the housing member 12.

Alternate arrangements are obviously available for rotatably mounting the cover plate 148. For instance, the housing member 12 may be provided with an annular recess around its circular opening on which the cover plate is seated. An annular ring overlaying the edges of the cover plate may then be welded to the housing member 12 to retain the plate in position.

Mounted within the cassettes recessed portion 144 is a rupturable pod or collapsible container 154 provided with a circular cavity 156 initially filled with a quantity of processing fluid 158. It is desirable that the pod 154 be adhered to the cassettes support surface 146. As best seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the pod 154 comprises two opposed

walls

160 and 162 bonded together to form a circular seal 164 constituting the perimeter of the cavity 156. The

walls

160 and 162 may be formed of any suitable material which is flexible and deformable so as to transmit an hydraulic pressure to the processing fluid 158 responsive to an externally mounted force applying member being pressed against one of their exterior surfaces.

It is desirable that these

walls

160 and 162 be substantially impervious to the processing fluid 158 and inert to attack by that fluid. Typically, they may consist of an outer layer 166 of pouch or glassine paper, an intermediate layer 168 of lead foil and an inner liner 170 of polyvinylchloride material. Under proper pressure and temperature conditions, the polyvinylchloride liners 170 may be bonded together to effect the sealing of the fluid filled cavity 156. It is important that a section 172 of the seal 164 be substantially weaker than the other portions thereof around the periphery of the fluid filled cavity 156. Another seal 174 is provided between the inner liners 170 of the

opposed walls

160 and 162 to extend radially of the cavity 156 and abut one end of the weakened section 172 of the seal 164.

The sheet materials from which the

opposed walls

160 and 162 are formed extend beyond the weakened seal section 172 and these extensions are themselves bonded together by a seal 176 adjacent their peripheral edges. This extended section of the wall 160 is further provided with an exit port 178 aligned with an opening 180 provided through the housing member 12. The reservoir chamber 102 of the dispensing container 96 includes an opening 182 (See FIG. 3) defined by a projection 184 positioned through the opening 180 in the housing member 12. The sheet material from which the pods wall 160 around the periphery of its exit port 178. Thus, it will be appreciated that whenever an hydraulic pressure is developed in the processing fluid 158 within the pods cavity 156 sufficient to rupture the weakened seal section 172, these particular extended sections of the materials from which the walls and 162 are formed serve to introduce the fluid expelled from the pod 154 into the dispensing containers reservoir chamber 102.

In order to effect a selective rupturing of the fluid filled pod 154, a plurality of radially extending projections 188 extend from the inside face 190 of the circular cover plate 148. Preferably, these projections 188 are configured so that they initially press against the pod 156 with substantially no processing fluid 158 being disposed between them and the support surface 146. In this manner, the cover plate 148 serves to preclude premature rupturing of the fluid filled pod 154 responsive to forces being inadvertantly exerted against the outside face 192 of the cover plate 148. It will now be appreciated that, as a result of this arrangement, the weakened section 172 of the seal 164 will be ruptured and the processing fluid 158 expelled from the pod 154 through such ruptured section whenever a rotary motion is imparted to the cover plate 148 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. More specifically, as the cover plate 148 is rotated, a circular motion is imparted to the fluid 158 within the pod 154 by the covers projections 188 which press firmly against that pod. However, such circular motion of the fluid 158 is resisted by the seal 174 which extends radially between the pods opposed

walls

160 and 162 and acts as a weir. Thus, a predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed within the processing fluid 158 sufficient to rupture the weakened seal 172. Continued rotary motion of the projections 188 sweeps the fluid 158 within the pod 154 against the radially extended seal 174 whereby the fluid is directed through the ruptured seal 172 into the dispensing containers reservoir chamber 102.

An externally mounted rotary drive 196, which in the preferred embodiment forms part of a specially devised projector unit, capable of imparting such rotary motion to the cassettes cover plate 148 is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Preferably, this drive 196 comprises a planar surface 198 formed of a high friction material such as rubber. Also, in order that relatively high frictional forces can be readily developed between the rotary drives surface 198 and the cover plate 148, the outside face 192 of that plate is preferably textured in any suitable manner. From FIG. 3 it will be recognized that a portion of one wall of the dispensing container 96 is, in effect, formed by a section of the housing member 12.

The

housing members

12 and 14, as well as elements associated therewith, e.g., the

arcuate members

78 and 80, the projections 51, the bearings for the supply spool 16, the takeup spool 18 and the

idlers

24, 26, 28, 30 and 32, and the boss 48 may, for example, be formed from a suitable thermoplastic resin, such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or a polystyrene, in inexpensive injection molding processes. Similarly, the spur gears 54 and 56, the shafts associated therewith, the

idlers

24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 and the spools 16 and 18 may, if desired, be formed by injection molding processes employing the same types of material.

Various details of the cassette 10 do not constitute part of the present invention and, obviously, may readily take forms other than those described. Some of these features, e.g., the snubbing arrangement, the pressure plate assembly, the light reflecting element, the film gate arrangement, the gearing arrangement for the supply and takeup spools, and the sealing arrangement for the dispensing container, are the subject of certain of the aforementioned copending applications.

As indicated, the cassette 10 may be initially furnished with its strip of photographic material 20 in an unexposed, photosensitive state and substantially entirely coiled around the supply spool 16. This cassette 10 is adapted for use with a motion picture camera (not shown) which may comprise a is formed is bonded to the end face 186 of the projection 184 75 plurality of conventional components normally associated with such photographic apparatus, e.g., a battery, a motor, a takeup spool driving arrangement, an intemiittent claw-type film advancement mechanism, an aperture plate, a shutter and a lens system. These components of the camera are arranged such that, as the cassette 10 is inserted into that device, a driving gear thereof slides along the cassettes channel 76 into engagement with the gear 56. Additionally, when the cassette is fully inserted into the camera, its pressure plate assembly 42 has been displaced inwardly of the cassette so that the section of. the film strip disposed thereacross is positioned in the proper focal plane for exposure purposes. Further, at such time, the cameras intermittent film advancement mechanism is disposed in operable relationship with that section of the film strip 20 positioned across the pressure plate assembly 42 and the cameras lens and shutter are aligned with the cassettes film gate 36.

This camera also includes a pair of displaceably mounted force applying members adapted to be introduced into the cassette 10 through its

apertures

82 and 84 to effect a snubbing of the cassette s idlers and 32, respectively. In this connection, the camera may include a conventional mechanism for driving these force applying members inwardly of the cassette 10 after the cassette is mounted in the camera or, more preferably, these force applying members may be spring mounted within the camera so as to be displaced in a direction away from the cassette during the cassette insertion process and to automatically enter the cassette through its

apertures

82 and 84 when the cassette is fully seated in the camera. During the exposure operations, the

idlers

30 and 32 are thus effectively snubbed while light is precluded from entering the interior of the cassette 10 through the aperture 82 by the light sealing means comprising the side-by-side annular projections 86 and 92, and through the aperture 84 by the side-by-side

annular projections

88 and 94. As the photosensitive film strip is drawn across the film gate 36 in incremental steps, and subsequently coiled around the takeup spool 18, images of the scene being photographed are recorded thereon.

During the exposure operations, the processing fluid 158 is retained in the pod 154 and the dispensing containers orifice 100 is sealed by the strip of flexible material 110. In the embodiment illustrated, the photosensitive surface of the film strip 20 faces inwardly of the cassette 10 such that exposure of the photosensitive emulsion is effected through the transparent film base.

Film processing and projection operations are preferably performed with the cassette mounted in a special projector unit 200 diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 4. In this connection, the top pannel 202 of the projector unit 200 is provided with a slot 204 configured to receive the cassette 10. Once the cassette 10 has been fully inserted into the unit 200, its rotatably mounted cover plate 148 is axially aligned with the projectors rotary drive 196, which drive is mounted for selective displacement into engagement therewith. Also, the projector includes a pair of slideably mounted pins (not shown) which are respectively aligned with the cassettes apertures 82 and 84. Thus, these pins may be selectively introduced into the cassette to effect a snubbing of its

idlers

30 and 32. Further, during the cassette insertion process, a pair of drive gears (not shown) of the projector slide along

respective cassette channels

76 and 74 so as to be subsequently selectively available to alternately drive the cassettes takeup spool 18 and supply spool 16.

The projector 200 may also include other conventional-type components normally associated with such units and which have not been illustrated in the drawings. For instance, these other components include a light source positioned to be in operative relationship with the cassette s opening 40, an intermittent film advancement mechanism and aperture plate positioned to be in operative relationship with the cassettes pressure plate assembly 42 and the section of the film strip 20 disposed thereacross, and a lens-shutter system positioned in operative relationship with the cassettes film gate 36. Controls for initiating the various functions performed by the projector unit 200 may conveniently be located on that unit's front panel 206. The projectors pin 139 is displaceably mounted in alignment with the cassettes slot 138 (See FIG.

To facilitate film processing operations, the projector's pin 139 is first employed to displace the slider 108 along the dispensing container 96 to its position wherein the opening 132 in the flexible material 110 is aligned with the orifice and the pressure plate 116 has slideably engaged the film strip 20 against the flexible material. The rotary drive 196 is then displaced into contact with the cassettes cover plate 148 and rotated to rupture the pod 154 and expel the processing fluid 158 therefrom into the dispensing containers reservoir chamber 102. The drive gear of the projector operably associated with the cassettes gear 54 is then employed to effect a return of the exposed film strip 20 from the cassettes takeup spool 18 onto its supply spool 16. During this advance of the film strip 20 within the cassette 10, it progressively passes through the processing station 94 and draws processing fluid 158 from the dispensing container 96 to form a uniform fluid coating along substantially its entire length. The thickness of this coating is a function of the thickness of the strip of flexible material 110. It will also be noted that in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the cassette 10 is inserted vertically downward into the projector 200, and the force of gravity serves to feed the processing fluid 158 from the reservoir chamber 102 to the dispensing containers orifice 100.

Next, the projectors pin engaging the recess 136 in the sliders arm 134 is employed to displace the slider into its final locked, orifice rescaling position. As a result of this operation, the film strip 20 is returned to its original position intermediate of, and spaced apart from both, the strip of flexible material and the pressure plate 116.

Projection operations are effected by first snubbing the cassettes idlers 30 and 32 and then energizing the projectors lamp, its intermittent film advancement mechanism and its drive gear operably associated with the cassettes gear 56. As the processed film strip 20 is drawn across the cassettes film gate 36 in incremental steps and subsequently coiled around its takeup spool 18, light rays from the projectors light source are redirected by the cassettes light reflecting element 44 outwardly thereof through the section of film strip 20 disposed across the pressure plates aperture 43 and the film gate 36. These image carrying light rays are redirected by a plurality of

mirrors

210, 212 and 214 onto a rear projection screen 216 of the projector 200 where they are imaged for viewing purposes by the projectors lens.

Preferably, the film strip 20 is returned once again to the cassettes supply spool 16 before removing the cassette 10 from the projector 200. In this condition, the cassette 10 may be stored until it is once again desired to project the film strip housed therein.

Editing of the developed film strip 20 can easily be effected. It is necessary only to draw a loop of the film strip 20 from the film gate 36 and to remove sections therefrom or to splice sections thereinto as desired.

Those familiar with the motion picture arts will readily appreciate the novel and highly unique advantages of this invention. An inexpensive and efficient processing fluid storage and applicator system is provided which facilitates the selective application of a uniform coating of processing fluid onto a strip of exposed photographic material. This unique system is particularly well adapted for incorporation into a compact multipurpose motion picture film handling cassette to greatly simplify the task of the photographer and to permit him to quickly develop and view his pictures in a unique projector unit. Most importantly, the pod in which the processing fluid is initially retained is located in a permanently and completely sealed section of the cassette, while the entire force required to rupture that pod is supplied by the projector unit with which the cassette is adapted to be used.

The term projector" is used herein in a comprehensive sence, i.e., to broadly refer to those systems wherein the visible images recorded on a sheet of material are re-imaged for viewing purposes and is not restricted to only those systems in which the recorded visible images are projected onto a screen of one type or another.

This invention may be practiced or embodied in still other ways without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The preferred embodiment described herein is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims and all variations which come within the meaning of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. In photographic apparatus for treating a strip of photographic material with a processing fluid, the improvement comprising:

first means for initially storing a quantity of such processing fluid and for releasing such processing fluid therefrom responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid, said first means including a collapsible container comprising a pair of sheet materials positioned in superposed relationship, at least one of said sheet materials including a deformable member, and having a weakened portion adapted to rupture when such predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed in such fluid and means for resisting the movement of such fluid within said first means when a force is applied progressively over said deformable member in an arcuate path, said movement resisting means comprising a weir disposed between said pair of superposed sheet materials, whereby such predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed within such fluid to effect the release thereof from said first means;

second means for receiving such processing fluid as it is released from said first means and for applying such processing fluid to such strip of photographic material; and

third means for selectively applying a force progressively over said deformable member in an arcuate path.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said weir comprises a bond between adjacent sections of said superposed sheet materials.

3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said sheet materials are bonded together to enclose a cavity therebetween adapted to have such processing fluid initially retained therein and said weakened portion comprises a section of said bond formed to be substantially weaker than the other sections thereof.

4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said arcuate path in circular and said weir extends radially across said container from the axis of rotation of said third means.

5. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said arcuate path is circular and said weir extends across said container from the axis of rotation of said third means to said bond and said weakened section of said bond is disposed adjacent said weir.

6. The improvement of claim 3 additionally including means for feeding such fluid to said second means as it is released from said container, said fluid feeding means comprising sections of said superposed sheet materials extending on the other side of said weakened bond sectionfrom said cavity.

7. In photographic apparatus for treating a strip of photographic material with a processing fluid, the improvement comprising:

first means for initially storing a quantity of such processing fluid and for releasing such processing fluid therefrom responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid, said first means comprising a substantially flat collapsible container including a weakened portion adapted to rupture when such hydraulic pressure is developed in such fluid, at least one deformable member, and means for resisting the movement of such fluid within said first means when a force is applied progressively over said deformable member in a circular path whereby such predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed within such fluid to effect the release thereof from said first means;

third means for selectively applying a force progressively over said deformable member in a circular path, said third means comprising a rotatably mounted plate having a generally flat surface overlaying said container and at least one force applying member extending from said surface into firm contact with said container.

8. The improvement of claim 7 wherein said force applying member extends radially along said surface.

9. A device useful in a system for initially storing processing fluid and subsequently treating photographic material therewith, comprising:

a collapsible container defining a cavity in which such processing fluid may be initially stored and including means for releasing such fluid therefrom responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid and means for resisting arcuate movement of such fluid within said container, said collapsible container comprising a pair of superposed sheet materials, at least one of which is readily deformable, bonded together around the periphery of said cavity and said fluid releasing means comprising a weakened portion of said bond, whereby such predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed within such fluid, and for subsequently direct ing such fluid through said releasing means when a force is applied progressively over said container in an arcuate path; and

sections of said materials extending beyond said weakened portion of said bond, one of said sections of material being provided with an opening and said sections are bonded together with said opening in communication with said weakened portion of said bond, whereby, when such fluid is expelled from said container through said ruptured weakened portion of said bond, it is directed through said aperture.

10. Photographic apparatus for treating a strip of photographic material with a processing fluid, comprising:

first means for initially storing a quantity of such processing fluid and for releasing such processing fluid therefrom responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid, said first means including a container having at least one deformable wall substantially initially disposed in a predetermined plane;

second means for causing at least a portion of such fluid to commence a circular movement within said container substantially parallel to such predetermined plane;

third means for resisting such circular movement of such fluid within said container so as to develop such predetermined hydraulic pressure in such fluid thereby effecting the release of such fluid from said container; and

fourth means for receiving such fluid as it is released from said first means and for applying such fluid to such strip of photographic material.

11. The improvement of claim 10 wherein said second means comprises a rotatably mounted force applying member pressing against said container.

12. In a motion picture film handling cassette, the improvement comprising:

an enclosed opaque housing having a first portion thereof mounted for rotary movement with respect to other portions thereof responsive to an externally mounted rotating force applying member engaging its exterior surface;

first means positioned within said housing for initially storing a quantity of processing fluid and for releasing such fluid responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed within such fluid;

second means responsive to rotary movement of said first portion of said housing for establishing such predetermined hydraulic pressure within such fluid thereby effecting the release of such fluid from said first means;

a strip of photographic material initially stored in a first position within said housing;

1 3 third means for progressively advancing said strip of photographic material within said housing from its said first position; and v fourth means for receiving such processing fluid as it is released from said first means and for applying such processing fluid to said strip of photographic material as it is advanced by said third means.

13. In a motion picture film handling cassette, the improvement comprising:

an enclosed opaque housing having a first portion thereof mounted for rotary movement with respect to other portions thereof responsive to an externally mounted rotating force applying member engaging its exterior surface, said first portion including at least one projection extending from the inside face thereof;

first means positioned within said housing to be engaged by said projection for initially storing a quantity of processing fluid and for releasing such fluid responsive to the force exerted thereon by said projection when said first housing portion is rotated;

second means for progressively advancing said strip of photographic material within said housing from its said first position; and

third means for receiving such processing fluid as it is released from said first means and for applying such processing fluid to said strip of photographic material as it is advanced by said second means.

14. The improvement of claim 13 wherein said first means comprises a collapsible container having a weakened portion adapted to rupture when such predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed in such fluid.

15. The improvement of claim 14 wherein said container comprises a pair of sheet materials positioned in superposed relationship and said movement resisting means comprises a weir disposed therebetween.

16. The improvement of claim 15 wherein said sheet materials are bonded together to enclose a cavity therebetween adapted to have such processing fluid initially retained therein and said weakened portion comprises a section of said bond formed to be substantially weaker than the other sections thereof.

17. The improvement of claim 15 wherein said weir and said projection extend radially from the axis of rotation of said first housing portion.

18. The improvement of claim 13 additionally including a support surface against which said first means is seated intermediate said support surface and said first housing portion.

19. A device useful in a system for initially storing processing fluid and subsequently treating photographic material therewith, said system including a member mounted for movement in an arcuate path, comprising:

a collapsible container defining a cavity in which such processing fluid may be initially stored and including at least two opposed wall members, means for releasing such fluid therefrom responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid and means interposed between said wall members inwardly of the peripheral edges thereof for resisting arcuate movement of such fluid within said container, whereby such predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed within such fluid, and for subsequently directing such fluid through said releasing means when a force is applied by such member being progressively advanced over said container in an arcuate path.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said collapsible container comprises a pair of superposed sheet materials, at least one of which is readily deformable, bonded together around the periphery of said cavity.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein said fluid releasing means comprises a weakened portion of said bond.

22. The device of claim 20 wherein said fluid movement resisting and directing means comprises a bond between said sheet materials.

23. The device of claim 19 wherein said cavity is circular in configuration and said fluid resisting and directing means extends radially of said cavity.

Claims

1. In photographic apparatus for treating a strip of photographic material with a processing fluid, the improvement comprising: first means for initially storing a quantity of such processing fluid and for releasing such processing fluid therefrom responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid, said first means including a collapsible container comprising a pair of sheet materials positioned in superposed relationship, at least one of said sheet materials including a deformable member, and having a weakened portion adapted to rupture when such predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed in such fluid and means for resisting the movement of such fluid within said first means when a force is applied progressively over said deformable member in an arcuate path, said movement resisting means comprising a weir disposed between said pair of superposed sheet materials, whereby such predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed within such fluid to effect the release thereof from said first means; second means for receiving such processing fluid as it is released from said first means and for applying such processing fluid to such strip of photographic material; and third means for selectively applying a force progressively over said deformable member in an arcuate path.

6. The improvement of claim 3 additionally including means for feeding such fluid to said second means as it is released from said container, said fluid feeding means comprising sections of said superposed sheet materials extending on the other side of said weakened bond section from said cavity.

7. In photographic apparatus for treating a strip of photographic material with a processing fluid, the improvement comprising: first means for initially storing a quantity of such processing fluid and for releasing such processing fluid therefrom responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid, said first means comprising a substantially flat collapsible container including a weakened portion adapted to rupture when such hydraulic pressure is developed in such fluid, at least one deformable member, and means for resisting the movement of such fluid within said first means when a force is applied progressively over said deformable member in a circular path whereby such predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed within such fluid to effect the release thereof from said first means; second means for receiving such processing fluid as it is released from said first means and for applying such processing fluid to such strip of photographic material; and third means for selectively applying a force progressively over said deformable member in a circular path, said third means comprising a rotatably mounted plate having a generally flat surface overlaying said container and at least one force applying member extending from said surface into firm contact with said container.

9. A device useful in a system for initially storing processing fluid and subsequently treating photographic material therewith, comprising: a collapsible container defining a cavity in which such processing fluid may be initially stored and including means for releasing such fluid therefrom responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid and means for resisting arcuate movement of such fluid within said container, said collapsible container comprising a pair of superposed sheet materials, at least one of which is readily deformable, bonded together around the periphery of said cavity and said fluid releasing means comprising a weakened portion of said bond, whereby such predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed within such fluid, and for subsequently directing such fluid through said releasing means when a force is applied progressively over said container in an arcuate path; and sections of said materials extending beyond said weakened portion of said bond, one of said sections of material being provided with an opening and said sections are bonded together with said opening in communication with said weakened portion of said bond, whereby, when such fluid is expelled from said container through said ruptured weakened portion of said bond, it is directed through said aperture.

10. Photographic apparatus for treating a strip of photographic material with a processing fluid, comprising: first means for initially storing a quantity of such processing fluid and for releasing such processing fluid therefrom responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid, said first means including a container having at least one deformable wall substantially initially disposed in a predetermined plane; second means for causing at least a portion of such fluid to commence a circular movement within said container substantially parallel to such predetermined plane; third means for resisting such circular movement of such fluid within said container so as to develop such predetermined hydraulic pressure in such fluid thereby effecting the release of such fluid from said container; and fourth means for receiving such fluid as it is released from said first means and for applying such fluid to such strip of photographic material.

12. In a motion picture film handling cassette, the improvement comprising: an enclosed opaque housing having a first portion thereof mounted for rotary movement with respect to other portions thereof responsive to an externally mounted rotating force applying member engaging its exterior surface; first means positioned within said housing for initially storing a quantity of processing fluid and for releasing such fluid responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed within such fluid; second means responsive to rotary movement of said first portion of said housing for establishing such predetermined hydraulic pressure within such fluid thereby effecting the release of such fluid from said first means; a strip of photographic material initially stored in a first position within said housing; third means for progressively advancing said strip of photographic material within said housing from its said first position; and fourth means for receiving such processing fluid as it is released from said first means and for applying such processing fluid to said strip of photographic material as it is advanced by said third means.

13. In a motion picture film handling cassette, the improvement comprising: an enclosed opaque housing having a first portion thereof mounted for rotary movement with respect to other portions thereof responsive to an externally mounted rotating force applying member engaging its exterior surface, said first portion including at least one projection extending from the inside face thereof; first means positioned within said housing to be engaged by said projection for initially storing a quantity of processing fluid and for releasing such fluid responsive to the force exerted thereon by said projection when said first housing portion is rotated; a strip of photographic material initially stored in a first position within said housing; second means for progressively advancing said strip of photographic material within said housing from its said first position; and third means for receiving such processing fluid as it is released from said first means and for applying such processing fluid to said strip of photographic material as it is advanced by said second means.

19. A device useful in a system for initially storing processing fluid and subsequently treating photographic material therewith, said system including a member mounted for movement in an arcuate path, comprising: a collapsible container defining a cavity in which such processing fluid may be initially stored and including at least two opposed wall members, means for releasing such fluid therefrom responsive to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid and means interposed between said wall members inwardly of the peripheral edges thereof for resisting arcuate movement of such fluid within said container, whereby such predetermined hydraulic pressure is developed within such fluid, and for subsequently directing such fluid through said releasing means when a force is applied by such member being progressively advanced over said container in an arcuate path.