U.S. patent application number 09/258258 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-13 for instant camera.
Invention is credited to ASAKURA, KATSUYOSHI, KITAGAWA, KIICHIRO.
Application Number | 20010021309 09/258258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 12954397 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010021309 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KITAGAWA, KIICHIRO ; et
al. |
September 13, 2001 |
INSTANT CAMERA
Abstract
An instant camera is used with a photo film pack, which includes
plural photo film units of a self-processing type. Each of the
photo film units includes a processing solution pod for containing
processing solution. There is an exposure surface which is exposed
by photographic subject light and on which the processing solution
is spread for processing. A case contains a stack of the plural
photo film units. A photo film outlet causes the photo film units
to exit. The instant camera has a pack chamber loaded with the
photo film pack. An exposure aperture is formed to open in one face
of the pack chamber, and sets the exposure surface of the photo
film units inside the photo film pack. A set of first and second
spreader rollers press and convey an exposed one of the photo film
units advanced from the pack chamber, and squeeze the solution pod
to spread the processing solution on the exposure surface. A spread
control wall is disposed between the photo film outlet and the
spreader roller set, pushes the photo film unit advanced from the
photo film outlet, and controls distribution of the processing
solution on the exposure surface.
Inventors: |
KITAGAWA, KIICHIRO;
(KANAGAWA, JP) ; ASAKURA, KATSUYOSHI; (KANAGAWA,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION ZINN MACPEAK & SEAS
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
WASHINGTON
DC
200373202
|
Family ID: |
12954397 |
Appl. No.: |
09/258258 |
Filed: |
February 26, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
396/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B 17/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
396/30 |
International
Class: |
G03B 017/50 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 5, 1998 |
JP |
10-53855 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An instant camera having a pack chamber loadable with a photo
film pack, wherein said photo film pack has a stack of plural photo
film units of a self-processing type, a case contains said stack of
said photo film units, each of said photo film units includes a
solution pod and an exposure surface, said exposure surface is
processed by spreading of processing solution from said solution
pod after being exposed by photographic subject light, and said
photo film units are respectively ejected through a photo film
outlet in said case, said instant camera comprising: a spreader
roller set, constituted by first and second spreader rollers, for
pressing and conveying an exposed one of said photo film units
advanced from said pack chamber, said spreader roller set squeezing
said solution pod to spread said processing solution on said
exposure surface; and a spread control member, disposed between
said photo film outlet and said spreader roller set, for pushing
said one photo film unit in a first direction substantially
perpendicular to an advance thereof during said advance, to control
distribution of said processing solution on said exposure
surface.
2. An instant camera as defined in claim 1, wherein said pack
chamber includes a photo film passageway for passing said one photo
film unit advanced from said photo film outlet toward said spreader
roller set; said spread control member is one of two walls defined
in said photo film passageway, and at least partially covers said
photo film outlet.
3. An instant camera as defined in claim 2, wherein said spread
control member includes an inclined face, disposed on an end
thereof, opposed to said photo film outlet, for guiding a front end
of said one photo film unit being advanced toward said spreader
roller set.
4. An instant camera as defined in claim 2, wherein said spread
control member is so disposed as to bend said one photo film unit
convexly in said first direction between said photo film outlet and
said spreader roller set.
5. An instant camera as defined in claim 4, further comprising a
camera outlet, disposed outside said spreader roller set, for
ejecting said photo film unit externally from said instant camera,
said camera outlet being positioned offset from a position between
said first and second spreader rollers, to push said one photo film
unit in said first direction.
6. An instant camera as defined in claim 5, wherein said first
spreader roller is movable in said first direction, is biased by a
spring, and applies regular force of pressurization to said one
photo film unit in cooperation with said second spreader roller;
said spread control member is disposed on a side of said first
spreader roller with respect to said photo film outlet.
7. An instant camera having a pack chamber loadable with a photo
film pack, wherein said photo film pack has a stack of plural photo
film units of a self-processing type, a case contains said stack of
said photo film units, each of said photo film units includes a
solution pod and an exposure surface, said exposure surface is
processed by spreading of processing solution from said solution
pod after being exposed by photographic subject light, and said
photo film units are respectively ejected through a photo film
outlet in said case, said instant camera comprising: a spreader
roller set, constituted by first and second spreader rollers, for
pressing and conveying an exposed one of said photo film units
advanced from said pack chamber, said spreader roller set squeezing
said solution pod to spread said processing solution on said
exposure surface; and a photo film passageway, formed in said pack
chamber, and positioned offset from a line extending from said
photo film outlet to a position between said first and second
spreader rollers.
8. An instant camera as defined in claim 7, further comprising a
camera outlet for ejecting said one photo film unit externally from
said instant camera after having passed said spreader roller set,
wherein said one photo film unit is bent substantially in an
S-shape by said camera outlet, said spreader roller set, said photo
film passageway and said photo film outlet while advanced.
9. An instant photographic system for use with an instant camera
having a pack chamber loadable with a photo film pack, wherein said
photo film pack has a stack of plural photo film units of a
self-processing type, a case contains said stack of said photo film
units, each of said photo film units includes a solution pod and an
exposure surface, said exposure surface is processed by spreading
of processing solution from said solution pod after being exposed
by photographic subject light, and said photo film units are
respectively ejected through a photo film outlet in said case, said
instant photographic system comprising: said instant camera
including: (A) a spreader roller set, constituted by first and
second spreader rollers, for pressing and conveying an exposed one
of said photo film units advanced from said pack chamber, said
spreader roller set squeezing said solution pod to spread said
processing solution on said exposure surface; and (B) a spread
control member, disposed between said photo film outlet and said
spreader roller set, for pushing said one photo film unit in a
first direction substantially perpendicular to an advance thereof
during said advance, to control distribution of said processing
solution on said exposure surface; wherein said photo film units
have a size equal to a size of an ID-1 type card defined by JIS
X6301 or ISO 7810.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an instant camera. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an instant camera
capable of spreading processing solution in each photo film unit in
a stably controlled manner.
[0003] 2. Description Related to the Prior Art
[0004] A widely available instant camera is used with a photo film
pack, which includes plural photo film units of a self-processing
type. Each of the photo film units has an exposure surface, and a
processing solution pod disposed on one edge of the exposure
surface. The solution pod contains processing solution. The photo
film pack has a case of a box shape, which encloses the photo film
units light-tightly to be sold as a product. When the instant
camera is loaded with the photo film pack, it is possible to take
photographs without handling each of the photo film units
individually.
[0005] When an exposure is taken in an instant camera on the
exposure surface of the photo film unit with light from a
photographic subject, the camera causes the photo film unit being
exposed to moved to the outside. In the course of this exiting
movement, a pair of spreader rollers nip and squeeze the solution
pod, and causes the processing solution to flow from the solution
pod to the exposure surface, to develop the exposure surface.
[0006] There are various ways conceivable for improving the quality
of a printed image on the photo film unit in the instant camera.
Among them, JP-B 3-72975 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,519)
suggests spreading of the processing solution to the exposure
surface in a uniform manner. A spread control surface is formed
with the photo film outlet in the case to contact the exposure
surface in the photo film unit. When the processing solution flows
from the solution pod, the spread control surface spreads the
processing solution on the exposure surface before the spreader
rollers spreads the processing solution. Thus the spread control
surface causes the processing solution to extend to lateral
portions arranged in the film unit width direction, which would be
impossible if the spread control surface were not added to the
spreader rollers. According to this prior art, the quality of the
printed image can be heightened. Also the cost of the photo film
unit can be reduced by optimizing the amount of the processing
solution as contained.
[0007] To stabilize the effect of the spread control surface
controlling the spread of the processing solution, it is necessary
to regularize a contacting position, contacting pressure, and other
contacting states between the spreader rollers and the spread
control surface. The case of the photo film pack consists of a
combination of plural parts formed from plastic material with a
small thickness, and is likely to be deformed due to irregularities
in the size occurring at the molding time or assembly time, and
twisting or distortion in the shape according to temperature or the
like. A problem lies in that a relative position between the spread
control surface with the spreader rollers is likely to change, so
as to change the control of spreading the processing solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the present
invention is to provide an instant camera capable of spreading
processing solution in each photo film unit in a stably controlled
manner.
[0009] In order to achieve the above and other objects and
advantages of this invention, an instant camera has a pack chamber
loadable with a photo film pack, wherein the photo film pack has a
stack of plural photo film units of a self-processing type, a case
contains the stack of the photo film units, each of the photo film
units includes a solution pod and an exposure surface, the exposure
surface is processed by spreading of processing solution from the
solution pod after being exposed by photographic subject light, and
the photo film units are respectively ejected through a photo film
outlet in the case. In the instant camera, a spreader roller set is
constituted by first and second spreader rollers, for pressing and
conveying an exposed one of the photo film units advanced from the
pack chamber, the spreader roller set squeezing the solution pod to
spread the processing solution on the exposure surface. A spread
control member is disposed between the photo film outlet and the
spreader roller set, for pushing the one photo film unit in a first
direction substantially perpendicular to an advance thereof during
the advance, to control distribution of the processing solution on
the exposure surface.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the pack chamber includes a photo
film passageway for passing the one photo film unit advanced from
the photo film outlet toward the spreader roller set. The spread
control member is one of two walls defined in the photo film
passageway, and at least partially covers the photo film
outlet.
[0011] The spread control member includes an inclined face,
disposed on an end thereof, opposed to the photo film outlet, for
guiding a front end of the one photo film unit being advanced
toward the spreader roller set.
[0012] The spread control member is so disposed as to bend the one
photo film unit convexly in the first direction between the photo
film outlet and the spreader roller set.
[0013] Furthermore a camera outlet is disposed outside the spreader
roller set, for ejecting the photo film unit externally from the
instant camera, the camera outlet being positioned offset from a
position between the first and second spreader rollers, to push the
one photo film unit in the first direction.
[0014] The first spreader roller is movable in the first direction,
is biased by a spring, and applies regular force of pressurization
to the one photo film unit in cooperation with the second spreader
roller. The spread control member is disposed on a side of the
first spreader roller with respect to the photo film outlet.
[0015] A camera outlet ejects the one photo film unit externally
from the instant camera after having passed the spreader roller
set, wherein the one photo film unit is bent substantially in an
S-shape by the camera outlet, the spreader roller set, the photo
film passageway and the photo film outlet while advanced.
[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the photo film units have
a size equal to a size of an ID-1 type card defined by JIS X6301 or
ISO 7810.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above objects and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description
when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating an instant camera;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross section illustrating the instant
camera;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a section, partially cutaway, illustrating the
instant camera and particularly its spreader rollers and a spread
control wall with photo film units;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front elevation illustrating each one of the
photo film units;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a rear elevation illustrating the photo film
unit;
[0023] FIG. 5A is a section, partially cutaway, illustrating a trap
section of the photo film unit in the course of manufacture;
[0024] FIG. 5B is a section, partially cutaway, illustrating the
same as FIG. 5B in a finally manufactured state;
[0025] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective illustrating the photo
film unit;
[0026] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view in elevation, illustrating a
processing solution pod section of the photo film unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
[0027] In FIG. 1, an instant camera 2 of the present invention has
a generally rectangular shape as viewed in the front. The instant
camera 2 is loaded with a photo film pack 4 which contains a
plurality of photo film units 3. See FIG. 2. A front of the center
of the instant camera 2 has a lens barrel 6 incorporating a taking
lens 5. The instant camera 2 has an auto-focus (AF) device of an
infrared active type. The front of the lens barrel 6 has the taking
lens 5, a light projector window 7, a light receiver window 8, a
photometric window 9 and a flash measuring window 10. The light
projector window 7 and the light receiver window 8 constitute a
rangefinding device. The photometric window 9 is included in a
photometric device. There are light projector elements or light
receiver elements contained in inside positions of those
windows.
[0028] A grip 12 is formed on one lateral face of the instant
camera 2. A power switch 13 and a shutter release button 14 are
disposed on the top of the grip 12. The shutter release button 14
is depressible in two steps, and when depressed halfway, causes
operation of rangefinding and photometry, and when depressed fully,
releases a shutter device.
[0029] A viewfinder 16 is disposed in an upper portion of the
instant camera 2, and used to observe a region to be photographed.
When the shutter release button 14 is halfway depressed,
rangefinding and photometry are effected through the light
projector window 7, the light receiver window 8 and the photometric
window 9. Upon full depression of the shutter release button 14,
the shutter device inside the lens barrel 6 is released according
to rangefinding and photometric values as obtained. If brightness
of a photographic subject is very low, then a flash emitter 17
above the lens barrel 6 is automatically operated to emit flash
light toward the photographic subject. After taking an exposure,
the photo film unit 3 in the course of development is ejected from
a camera outlet 18 in the top of the instant camera 2.
[0030] In FIG. 2, the instant camera 2 has a body 21, a front cover
22 and a rear cover 23. The body 21 incorporates mechanisms for
taking an exposure. A pack chamber 20 is disposed on the rear of
the body 21 and loaded with the photo film pack 4. A door 24 of a
plate shape is secured to the rear cover 23 with a hinge 25 for
opening and closing the pack chamber 20.
[0031] A light-shielding tunnel 27 is formed in the front of the
body 21, and shields ambient light from an optical path defined
from the taking lens 5 to the photo film units 3. An exposure
aperture 28 is formed between the pack chamber 20 and the
light-shielding tunnel 27 to determine a region to be exposed on
the photo film units 3 in the photo film pack 4.
[0032] The photo film pack 4 is constituted of a case 30 of plastic
material in a box shape and a stack of the photo film units 3
contained in the case 30. The photo film units 3 include an
exposure surface 3a, a processing solution pod 3b and a trap member
3c. The exposure surface 3a exists on the front of layers including
emulsion layers and a light receiving layer. The solution pod 3b
contains processing solution. The trap member 3c traps the surplus
of the processing solution having flowed from the solution pod 3b
to the exposure surface 3a, and hardens the surplus. The photo film
units 3 have a rectangular shape, and is a mono-sheet type, which
can be handled as a single sheet.
[0033] An exposure opening 30a is formed in the front wall of the
case 30 to uncover the exposure surface 3a of the one of the photo
film units 3. A photo film outlet 32 in a slit shape is formed in
the top of the case 30 for ejecting an exposed one of the photo
film units 3 from inside the case 30. A light-shielding sticker 33
with flexibility (See FIG. 3) is attached to close the photo film
outlet 32 when the photo film pack 4 is unused.
[0034] A light-shielding cover sheet 35 of a plate shape is
contained in the photo film pack 4 with the photo film units 3 when
the photo film pack 4 is unused, and protects the inside of the
case 30 from ambient light. When the shutter is released for the
first time after loading the pack chamber 20 with the photo film
pack 4, the cover sheet 35 is automatically ejected from the camera
outlet 18 in the top of the instant camera 2. In the course of this
ejection, a weakly attached portion of the sticker 33 over the
photo film outlet 32 is peeled to open the photo film outlet
32.
[0035] A recess (not shown) is formed in a portion under the
exposure opening 30a in the case 30 for receiving a claw mechanism
known in the art. The claw of the claw mechanism is driven in
response to shutter releasing, and is moved upwards, enters the
recess in the case 30 and contacts a bottom end of a foremost one
of the photo film units 3. The claw moves further in the upward
direction to lift the foremost photo film unit 3 in the case 30,
until a top end of the foremost photo film unit 3 is moved out of
the photo film outlet 32 in the case 30.
[0036] A push ridge 37 is formed on the center of the rear inside
wall of the case 30. Light-shielding sheets 38 and 39 are disposed
behind the photo film units 3. The push ridge 37 pushes the photo
film units 3 to the front indirectly with the light-shielding
sheets 38 and 39, to flatten the foremost one of the photo film
units 3. Holes 40 and 41 are formed in the rear of the case 30,
between which the push ridge 37 is located. Press pad mechanisms 42
and 43 are arranged on the inside of the door 24, and when the door
24 is closed with the photo film pack 4 inside the pack chamber 20,
enter the holes 40 and 41.
[0037] The press pad mechanisms 42 and 43 have press pads 42a and
43a, which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,683 (corresponding
to JP-A 7-244336). The press pads 42a and 43a are movable in a
direction of the thickness of the photo film units 3, and biased by
springs to push the photo film units 3, the foremost one of which
is kept flat. The holes 40 and 41 to be entered by the press pad
mechanisms 42 and 43 are closed by the light-shielding sheets 38
and 39 light-tightly before the photo film pack 4 is used.
[0038] In FIG. 3, a photo film passageway 45 of a slit shape is
formed in the top of the pack chamber 20 to cause the photo film
unit 3 to exit from the pack chamber 20 after each exposure. The
photo film passageway 45 is in a position offset forwards from the
photo film outlet 32 formed in the photo film pack 4. A spread
control wall 46 constitutes one of the two edges of the photo film
passageway 45, and contacts the back surface of the photo film unit
3 to control the spread state of the processing solution flowing
from the solution pod 3b to the exposure surface 3a.
[0039] An end of the spread control wall 46 has such a rounded
shape as to protect the back surface of the photo film unit 3 from
being damaged. A guiding inclined surface is formed on the end of
the spread control wall 46 to guide the photo film unit 3 toward
the photo film passageway 45.
[0040] A spreader roller set 48 is disposed above the photo film
passageway 45, and nips an advancing end of the one of the photo
film units 3 advancing from the pack chamber 20, and conveys it
toward the camera outlet 18. Also the camera outlet 18 squeezes the
solution pod 3b and causes the processing solution to flow to the
exposure surface 3a, and spreads the solution to the whole of the
exposure surface 3a. The spreader roller set 48 is constituted of
first and second spreader rollers 49 and 50. The first spreader
roller 49 as a driving roller is rotated by a motor in the
clockwise direction. The second spreader roller 50 as a driven
roller is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by rotation of
the first spreader roller 49 via the contact with pressure.
[0041] The spreader rollers 49 and 50 are respectively formed from
hard steel material to reduce errors in the diameter in relation to
the axial direction. The second spreader roller 50 is movable in
the thickness direction of the photo film unit 3 to spread the
processing solution on the exposure surface 3a in a uniform manner,
and is biased by a spring 51 to push the first spreader roller 49.
In the present embodiment, the first spreader roller 49 is kept
from shifting in its width direction, as the first spreader roller
49 is disposed to cause the photo film unit 3 to be pushed on the
spread control wall 46. This is effective in stabilizing a
contacting position, contacting pressure, and other contacting
states between the photo film unit 3 and the spread control wall
46. Note that, if a driven roller is disposed on the side of
pressing the photo film unit 3 to the spread control wall 46, then
the driven roller can be kept from shifting, and a driving roller
can be set movable in the thickness direction of the photo film
unit 3.
[0042] The spreader roller set 48 is so disposed that a position of
the contact between the spreader rollers 49 and 50 is located
directly over the end of the spread control wall 46. As the photo
film unit 3 is caused to contact the spreader roller set 48, the
spread control wall 46 and an edge of the photo film outlet 32 in
the case 30, the photo film unit 3 is curved in an S-shape loosely.
A contacting state of the photo film unit 3 with the spread control
wall 46 is ensured to make the operation of the spread control wall
46 effective for spreading the processing solution. Note that, in
spite of the present embodiment, the position of the contact
between the spreader rollers 49 and 50 may be slightly offset from
a position directly over the end of the spread control wall 46. The
spreader roller set 48 may be positioned in any suitable manner
such that the photo film unit 3 is curved loosely to keep the back
surface in tight contact with the spread control wall 46. It is
preferable that the end of the spread control wall 46 is 0.1 mm
offset in the rearward direction from the position where the first
spreader roller 49 contacts the photo film unit 3.
[0043] A camera outlet passageway 53 is formed with an inclination
toward the front, and guides the photo film unit 3 toward the
camera outlet 18 after passage in the spreader roller set 48. Thus
an area of contact of the first spreader roller 49 with the
solution pod 3b of the photo film unit 3 is enlarged. An effect of
the first spreader roller 49 for spreading the solution is
raised.
[0044] The operation of the above construction is described now. To
take an exposure with the instant camera 2 in FIG. 1, the power
switch 13 is depressed to power the instant camera 2. A
photographic field is observed through the viewfinder 16. The
shutter release button 14 is depressed halfway, to effect the
rangefinding and photometry by use of the light projector window 7,
the light receiver window 8 and the photometric window 9 located in
the front of the lens barrel 6. When the shutter release button 14
is depressed fully, the shutter device in the lens barrel 6 is
released in accordance with the values obtained by the rangefinding
and the photometry. If the brightness of the photographic subject
is very low, the flash emitter 17 automatically emits flash light
toward the photographic subject. The subject light passes through
the taking lens 5, and exposes the exposure surface 3a of the
foremost one of the photo film units 3 through the light-shielding
tunnel 27, the exposure aperture 28 and the exposure opening
30a.
[0045] When an operation of releasing of the shutter device is
finished, a motor causes the claw of the claw mechanism to move
upwards, for the claw to enter the recess communicating with the
exposure opening 30a of the case 30. The claw comes in contact with
the bottom of the foremost one of the photo film units 3, and then
moves up to raise the foremost one of the photo film units 3 inside
the case 30.
[0046] The photo film unit 3 advanced through the photo film outlet
32 in the case 30 forcibly peels the sticker 33 to exit from the
case 30. The photo film unit 3 is guided by the lower inclined face
of the spread control wall 46, and directed through the photo film
passageway 45 in the pack chamber 20. Then the photo film unit 3
from the photo film passageway 45 is nipped by the spreader roller
set 48 which has been rotating, and is conveyed toward the camera
outlet
[0047] In the course of the movement, the solution pod 3b of the
photo film unit 3 is squeezed by the spreader roller set 48. The
processing solution flows from the solution pod 3b, and is caused
by the spreader roller set 48 to spread on the exposure surface 3a.
The photo film unit 3 having passed the spreader roller set 48 is
introduced to the outlet passageway 53 having the inclination
toward the front of the instant camera 2. As the outlet passageway
53 enlarges the area of the contact between the solution pod 3b of
the photo film unit 3 and the first spreader roller 49, the effect
of the spreader roller set 48 spreading the solution is
ensured.
[0048] The processing solution having flowed to the exposure
surface 3a is spread by the spreader roller set 48, and at the same
time, caused to extend to the whole of the exposure surface 3a with
a uniform thickness by an effect of the spread control wall 46
contacting the back surface of the photo film unit 3. The spread
control wall 46 is formed with the body 21 constituting the instant
camera 2. As a position of the first spreader roller 49 is
stationary in the body 21 on the side opposing to the spread
control wall 46, the contacting state between the photo film unit 3
and the spread control wall 46 is kept unchanged, to stabilize the
spread state of the processing solution.
[0049] As the spread control wall 46 is included in walls of the
pack chamber 20 to constitute the photo film passageway 45, it is
possible to use the spread control wall 46 without raising the size
or cost of the camera. Furthermore the spread control wall 46
contacts the back surface of the photo film unit 3 in reverse to
the exposure surface 3a, which can be prevented from being damaged
or contaminated.
[0050] The photo film unit 3 having passed the outlet passageway 53
is ejected through the camera outlet 18 from the instant camera 2.
As the exposure surface 3a of the photo film unit 3 is processed by
the processing solution spread by the spread control wall 46 and
the spreader roller set 48, a printed image appears on the exposure
surface 3a when a predetermined time lapses. The quality of the
printed image of the photo film unit 3 is heightened because the
area of the contact between the solution pod 3b and the spreader
roller set 48 is enlarged.
[0051] In the above embodiment, the spread control wall is formed
to constitute the photo film passageway 45. Alternatively a spread
control wall may be formed with a different part associated with
the spreader rollers, either inside the pack chamber 20 or outside
the pack chamber 20. An end portion of the spread control wall can
be shaped with modifications in its width direction so as to
optimize the spreading effect of the processing solution.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the photo film units 3 have a
preferable size which is substantially equal to a size of the ID-1
type card being 85.60 mm long and 53.98 mm wide, which is defined
according to JIS X6301 or ISO 7810. Furthermore a ratio of an area
of a frame region of the photo film units 3 to an area of their
margin region is equal to or more than 1.50. These features are
hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 4-7.
[0053] In FIG. 6, the photo film unit 3 has a structure including a
mask sheet 62, a photosensitive sheet 63, a pair of spacer rail
members 64 and a cover sheet 65 connected sequentially with one
another. A frame opening 62a is formed in the center of the mask
sheet 62. The solution pod 3b and the trap member 3c are attached
to outer portions which are on the periphery of the mask sheet 62
and defined by bend lines 60a and 60b. After the photosensitive
sheet 63, the spacer rail members 64 and the cover sheet 65 are
attached to the mask sheet 62, the outer portions of the mask sheet
62 are bent along the bend lines 60a and 60b and are attached to
the cover sheet 65. The trap member 3c is attached to the mask
sheet 62 with adhesive agent. An under member 69 or pad is
connected with the photosensitive sheet 63 on the side of the
solution pod 3b, and operates to adjusts the height of the solution
pod 3b and the photosensitive sheet 63 by receiving the solution
pod 3b.
[0054] The mask sheet 62 operates to define the periphery of each
frame, and has a thickness of 50 .mu.m. The mask sheet 62 includes
a support, which consists of lamination of first and second films,
the first being a transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film
with a thickness of 12 .mu.m, and the second being a polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) film having a deposit of aluminum and with a
thickness of 12 .mu.m. A first surface of the support is coated
with an adhesive layer of an EVA-SBS type at a thickness of
approximately 12 .mu.m. The second surface of the support is coated
with a white-color layer and then coated with a logo-printing
layer. The white-color layer includes titanium oxide and silica,
and has a thickness of approximately 8 .mu.m. The logo-printing
layer is gray.
[0055] The spacer rail members 64 are produced from material for
controlling the thickness with which the processing solution is
spread, and for attaching the cover sheet 65 to the photosensitive
sheet 63, and have an average thickness of 64 .mu.m. Transparent
sheets of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with a thickness of 38
.mu.m are used. A first surface of transparent sheets is coated
with a light-shielding layer at a thickness of 10 .mu.m, and then
coated with an adhesive layer of an EVA-SBS type at a thickness of
8 .mu.m. The second surface of the transparent sheets are coated
with an adhesive layer of an EVA-SBS type at a thickness of 8
.mu.m. It is to be noted that the thickness or formulation of the
adhesive layers may be changed as required, in order to ensure the
adhesion on the side of the photosensitive sheet. As the sum of the
thickness of the two adhesive layers should be unchanged, one of
the adhesive layers must have a decreased thickness if the other of
the adhesive layers must have an increased thickness.
[0056] The photosensitive sheet 63 includes a polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) support which is 90 .mu.m thick and includes
titanium oxide of a small amount. A first surface of the support is
coated with a back layer of an acetyl cellulose type. The second
surface of the support is coated sequentially with an image
receiving layer, a white-color reflection layer, a light-shielding
layer, a red-sensitive emulsion layer, a green-sensitive emulsion
layer, a blue-sensitive emulsion layer, a ultraviolet ray absorbing
layer, and then a protective layer. A color mixture preventing
layer is disposed respectively between those sensitive emulsion
layers. A thickness of the entirety of the photosensitive sheet 63
is approximately 115 .mu.m.
[0057] The cover sheet 65 includes a polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) support which is 70 .mu.m thick and includes blue dye of a
small amount. A first surface of the support is coated with a
filter dye layer of an acetyl cellulose type. The second surface of
the support is coated with a neutralizing layer, a neutralizing
timing layer, and then a temperature compensating layer. The whole
thickness of the cover sheet 65 is approximately 80 .mu.m.
[0058] The solution pod 3b includes processing solution of 280
microliters (.mu.l) and a container member for containing the
processing solution. The container member consists of a paper
support and an aluminum foil attached thereto by adhesion, and
coated with adhesive agent of an EVA type. In FIG. 7, the solution
pod 3b is provided with middle sealed portions 81, 82 and 83. Edges
of the container member from which the processing solution exits
are sealed with a weak sealed portion 84, which is indicated by the
hatching in the drawing. The middle sealed portions 81-83 are
disposed for uniforming the spreading of the processing solution
when the solution pod 3b flows out upon breakage of the weak sealed
portion 84. The trap member 3c has a width of 3.6 mm, a length of
45 mm, and a thickness of 0.75 mm. The under member 69 is a
transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film having a
thickness of 100 .mu.m.
[0059] In FIG. 4, the photo film unit 3 on the side of the exposure
surface 3a is illustrated. The frame opening 62a in which an image
appears has a size of D20.times.D21. A pod section 71 (See FIG. 5)
containing the solution pod 3b is reverse to a blank margin space
72 of the mask sheet 62 which is used by users for filling in words
or the like. A trap section 73 or T-section (See FIG. 5) containing
the trap member 3c is reverse to a horizontal portion 74 or T-frame
of the mask sheet 62. The spacer rail members 64 are behind lateral
portions 75 of the mask sheet 62. The blank margin space 72 has a
width of D22. The horizontal portion 74 has a width of D2. The
lateral portions 75 have a width of D23.
[0060] In FIG. 5A, let D1 be a distance between an end of the
photosensitive sheet 63 and an end of the mask sheet 62 before
bending of the mask sheet 62. In FIG. 5B, let D3 be a distance
between the end of the mask sheet 62 and an end 62c of the photo
film unit 3. The distance D1 is determined longer than the distance
D3 for facilitating bending of the mask sheet 62 with the surplus
length. If the difference between D1 and D3 is too great, the mask
sheet 62 will be so bent that the distance to the end of the mask
sheet 62 will become over a distance D2 between the end 62c and an
end of the frame opening 62a. Thus a value of D1-D3 should be
within a range between upper and lower limits, and in the present
embodiment, is determined 0.6 mm.
[0061] Let D4 be a distance between the end 62c and an end of the
trap member 3c. Let D5 be a distance between the trap member 3c and
a position where the cover sheet 65 is connected with the end of
the mask sheet 62 near to an air path 77 depicted in FIG. 5. The
distances D4 and D5 depend upon a size of the trap member 3c and a
position of attachment of the trap member 3c. The distance D4 is
1.0 mm for the purpose of preventing the solution from spreading
laterally and from returning to the inside of the frame. The
distance D5 is 1.30 mm for the purpose of sufficiently introducing
air inside the photo film unit to the air path 77.
[0062] In FIG. 5, the back surface of the photo film unit 3 is
illustrated. The air path 77 is defined by keeping a central
portion of the trap section 73 without being sealed. The air path
77 is in a position D25 away from a lateral side of the photo film
unit 3, and D25=24.5 mm. The air path 77 has a width D26=5 mm. Let
D6 be a sealed width of the trap section 73 on the photosensitive
sheet side. Let D27 be a sealed width of the trap section 73 on
each lateral side. D6=0.8 mm, and D27=2.2 mm. Let D29 be a sealed
width at the corner of a first one of the lateral sides of the trap
section 73. Let D28 be a sealed width at a corner 78 of the second
one of the lateral sides of the trap section 73. D29=3 mm, but
D28=4.0 mm, because the corner 78 is engageable with the claw
mechanism of the instant camera. The spacer rail members 64 have a
width D30=2.2 mm. Let D24 be a bend width of the pod section 71.
Let D31 be a sealed width of the pod section 71 one each lateral
side. Let D32 be a sealed width of the pod section 71 on the side
of the photo-sensitive sheet. D24=15.4 mm, D31=1.8 mm, and D32=0.8
mm.
[0063] In FIG. 7, let D35 be a length of the solution pod 3b. Let
D36 be a width of the solution pod 3b. Let D37 be a width of the
weak sealed portion 84. Let D38 be a length of the middle sealed
portion 81. Let D39 be an interval between the middle sealed
portion 81 and an edge of the solution pod 3b. Let D40 be a length
of the middle sealed portions 82 and 83. Let D41 be an interval
between the middle sealed portions 82 and 83. Let D42 be an
interval between the edge of the solution pod 3b oriented away from
the frame opening 62a and the middle sealed portions 82 and 83. Let
D43 be a width of the middle sealed portions 82 and 83. Those sizes
are determined as D35=48.6 mm, D36=12.5 mm, D37=1.5 mm, D38=7.5 mm,
D39=0.55 mm, D40=3.5 mm, D41=7.6 mm, D42=8.55 mm, and D43=1 mm.
[0064] Examples 1-4 are indicated in the table below. The trap
section 73, which is a thickest portion of the photo film unit 3
after the spreading, has a thickness of 0.9 mm.
1 Examples 1 2 3 4 Frame-to-margin area 1.61 1.80 1.50 1.42 ratio
Frame area (cm.sup.2) 28.5 29.7 27.8 27.1 Margin area (cm.sup.2)
17.7 16.5 18.4 19.1 Frame size D20 .times. D21 46 .times. 62 47
.times. 63.1 46 .times. 60.4 46 .times. 59 (mm) Width D2 of 7.6 6.5
8.2 9.6 horizontal portion 74 (mm) Width D22 of blank 16.0 16.0
17.0 17.0 margin space 72 (mm) Width D23 of lateral 4.0 3.5 4.0 4.0
portions 75 (mm)
[0065] In Example 4, the frame-to-margin area ratio is 1.42, and is
the smallest among those of Examples 1-4. A length D21 of the
longer side of the frame is smaller by 1.4 mm than that in Example
3. In view of the size of the photo film unit as large as the ID-1
type card, the frame size of Example 4 is regarded as a lower limit
to be used for photographing a scene of plural people, or
photographing a scene at a far distance.
[0066] According to Examples 1-4, the photo film unit has the size
equal to that of the ID-1 card standardized by JIS X6301 or ISO
7810, and has the ratio of the area of the frame region to the area
of the margin region equal to or more than 1.50. Consequently the
photo film unit can have a frame region with such a sufficient size
that, if a number of people are photographed in a single frame,
each of them can be easily recognized on the obtained photographic
print. Of course the entirety of the photo film unit can have such
a size that the photo film unit can be handled easily and with much
portability, as it can be contained in a purse or card holder.
[0067] As the photo film units 3 are combined with the use of the
spread control wall 46 in the present invention, the spreading of
the processing solution is uniformed in the width direction of the
photo film units 3. Thus the image quality in a print to be
obtained can be increased. The processing solution can be spread
with high efficiency. In other words, a frame region of the photo
film units 3 for recording an image is set determined relatively
large in comparison with that according to the prior art, because
of reduced volumes of the solution pod 3b for enclosing the
processing solution and the trap member 3c for capturing the
surplus solution. This structure is specifically effective in the
photo film units 3 having a small size, as the frame region of the
photo film units 3 should be kept as large as possible for the
purpose of good operation of the photo film units 3 to be
commercially handled.
[0068] Of course any size can be determined in the present
invention for the photo film units 3, in compliance with which
structures in the instant camera 2 can be designed suitably.
[0069] Although the present invention has been fully described by
way of the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the
accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be
apparent to those having skill in this field. Therefore, unless
otherwise these changes and modifications depart from the scope of
the present invention, they should be construed as included
therein.
* * * * *