U.S. patent number 3,776,425 [Application Number 05/258,843] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-04 for system for rupturing pod containing processing fluid for photographic material.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Polaroid Corporation. Invention is credited to Philip G. Baker, Gerald H. Cook, Rogers B. Downey.
United States Patent |
3,776,425 |
Baker , et al. |
December 4, 1973 |
SYSTEM FOR RUPTURING POD CONTAINING PROCESSING FLUID FOR
PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL
Abstract
A system for rupturing a pod having a weakened edge portion and
containing processing fluid for photographic material and for
expelling the fluid therefrom. The fluid filled pod is mounted
adjacent a support surface and protected by a flexible cover plate.
A rigid member is initially disposed between the cover plate and
the support surface adjacent the end of the rupturable pod
furtherest removed from the pod's weakened portion. Extending along
the inside face of the cover plate is a rib which initially presses
the section of the pod adjacent thereto against the support plate
so that substantially no fluid is disposed within the pod between
the rib and the support plate. The cover plate includes access
means whereby externally mounted force applying means may be
introduced into the space between the cover plate and the support
surface to displace the rod across the length of the pod. The cover
plate is deflected by the rod during its displacement across the
pod and at the same time presses the rod firmly against the pod.
This system can advantageously be employed in a compact
multi-purpose film handling cassette adapted to be inserted into a
unique processor-projector unit containing the aforementioned force
applying means.
Inventors: |
Baker; Philip G. (Peabody,
MA), Cook; Gerald H. (Lynnfield, MA), Downey; Rogers
B. (Lexington, MA) |
Assignee: |
Polaroid Corporation
(Cambridge, MA)
|
Family
ID: |
26946911 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/258,843 |
Filed: |
June 1, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
838783 |
Jul 3, 1969 |
3687051 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/101 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B
17/265 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G03B
17/26 (20060101); B65d 035/28 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/101,107,214,215,541,386,323,87,95,102,103,105,156 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Coleman; Samuel F.
Parent Case Text
This is a division of copending application Ser. No. 838,783, filed
July 3, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,051.
Claims
We claim:
1. Apparatus for initially storing a fluid filled container and
subsequently expelling such fluid therefrom, such container having
a portion adapted to release such fluid in response to a
predetermined hydraulic pressure developed in such fluid when
pressure is applied to the exterior of such container,
comprising:
a support surface adjacent which such container is positioned;
a force applying member initially positioned adjacent an extremity
of such container spaced from such portion thereof and adapted to
be displaced across such container toward such portion on the
opposite side of such container from said support surface; and
means, including a flexible cover plate, for protecting such
container from premature accidental release of such fluid and for
urging said force applying member against such container as said
force applying member is displaced across such container
intermediate said container protecting means and such container,
said cover plate including a rib extending from the face thereof
adjacent such container and extending along said cover plate in the
direction of the displacement of said force applying member across
such container, whereby said force applying member causes said
cover plate to deflect and is pressed by said rib against such
container as said force applying member is displaced across such
container.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rib is configured to
initially bear against such container to displace such fluid in
opposite directions within such container away from said rib
without releasing such fluid therefrom, whereby said rib engages
such container against said support surface with substantially no
such fluid interposed between said rib and said support surface so
that said cover plate effectively prevents premature release of
such fluid responsive to an external force bearing against said
cover plate.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rib presents an edge
surface substantially parallel to said support surface extending a
distance intermediate the distance said force applying member is
adapted to be displaced with respect to said support surface, said
force applying member being initially positioned between said
support surface and one portion of said cover plate extending
beyond said edge surface of said rib, said force applying member
causing said cover plate to deflect in a direction away from such
container as it is displaced along such container and said force
applying member being positioned between said support surface and
the other portion of said cover plate extending beyond said edge
surface of said rib after being displaced across such
container.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the end of said rib adjacent
said one portion of said cover plate is configured to facilitate
the displacement of said force applying member from its said
initial position into contact with said edge surface of said rib
and the end of said rib adjacent said other portion of said cover
plate is configured to preclude subsequent displacement of said
force applying member into contact with said edge surface of said
rib after said force applying member has been displaced along said
rib into its said position between said other portion of said cover
plate and said support surface.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said rib is V-shaped and formed
integrally with said cover plate to facilitate the flexing of said
cover plate as said force applying member is displaced
therealong.
6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said rib is V-shaped and formed
integrally with said cover plate to facilitate the flexing of said
cover plate as said force applying member is displaced
therealong.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally including means for
indicating when such fluid has been expelled from such
container.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising means for
indicating when such fluid has been expelled from such
container.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said indicating means includes
means for providing visual access through said cover plate adjacent
the final position to which said force applying member is adapted
to be displaced between said cover plate and said support
surface.
10. Apparatus for initially storing a fluid filled container and
subsequently expelling such fluid therefrom, such container having
a portion adapted to release such fluid in response to a
predetermined hydraulic pressure developed in such fluid when
pressure is applied to the exterior of such container,
comprising:
a support surface adjacent which such container is positioned;
a force applying member initially positioned adjacent an extremity
of such container spaced from such portion thereof and adapted to
be displaced across such container toward such portion on the
opposite side of such container from said support surface;
means including a flexible cover plate, for protecting such
container from premature accidental release of such fluid and for
urging said force applying member against such container as said
force applying member is displaced across such container
intermediate said container protecting means and such container;
and
means for restraining the deflection of said cover plate in a
direction away from such container during the displacement of said
force applying member across such container.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising means for
progressively supporting said support surface on the opposite side
thereof from such container and substantially in alignment with
said force applying member as said force applying member is
displaced along such container.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said restraining means
comprises a roller adapted to engage said cover plate on the
opposite side of said cover plate from, and substantially in
alignment with, said force applying member as said force applying
member is displaced along said cover plate.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said roller is resiliently
urged against said cover plate.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said restraining means and
said progressively supporting means comprise a pair of rollers
mounted for rotation about parallel axes.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said restraining means roller
is resiliently urged against said cover plate and the axis of
rotation of said progressively supporting means is substantially
parallel to and mounted in a fixed spaced relationship to said
support surface during the displacement of said force applying
member across such container.
16. The apparatus useful for precluding premature accidental
release of fluid from a container adapted to release such fluid
therefrom responsive to pressure being applied to the exterior
thereof, comprising:
a support surface against which such container is positioned;
and
a flexible cover plate overlying such pod including a rib extending
from the face thereof adjacent such container to initially bear
against a limited intermediate portion of such container without
causing such fluid to be expelled therefrom, whereby said rib
engages such container against said support surface with
substantially no such fluid interposed between said rib and said
support surface, said cover plate being deflectible in a direction
away from such container to facilitate the introduction of a force
applying member intermediate said rib and such container.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said rib is formed integrally
with said cover plate and is V-shaped to facilitate the flexible
characteristic of said cover plate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to photography and, more particularly, to an
improved system for rupturing a pod containing processing fluid for
photographic material.
2. Description of the Prior Art
After motion picture film has been exposed in a camera, it has
generally been the practice for the photographer to send the
container of exposed film to a processing laboratory. At the
laboratory the film is removed from the container and subjected to
a series of operations in order to produce visible images from the
images recorded thereon during the exposure operations. The fully
developed film strip is then rewound onto a reel at the laboratory
and returned to the user.
The extended delay normally incurred between the time exposed film
is sent to the laboratory and returned ready for viewing has proved
to be a significant inconvenience to the user and a source of great
annoyance.
The field of still photography is no longer hampered by extensive
periods of delay associated with the processing of exposed film.
The impact on the public of the one-step photographic process
employing diffusion transfer techniques is a matter of record and
generally well known. The home still photographer can now enjoy the
fruits of his efforts in a matter of seconds. This important
convenience has been available to the amateur still photographer
for many years.
Most recently, important technological advances have made it
possible for the home photographer interested in motion pictures to
enjoy this same convenience. Radically different systems have now
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 U.S.
patents:
Patent No. Inventor(s) Date Issued 3,615,127 Edwin H. Land Oct. 26,
1971 3,597,062 Rogers B. Downey Aug. 3, 1971 3,537,784 Rogers B.
Downey Nov. 3, 1970 3,623,417 Vaito K. Eloranta Benjamin C. Ruggles
Nov. 30, 1971 3,644,024 Rogers B. Downey Feb. 22, 1972 3,600,071
Rogers B. Downey Aug. 17, 1971 3,608,455 Rogers B. Downey Sept. 28,
1971 3,641,896 Rogers B. Downey Paul W. Thomas Feb. 15, 1972
3,627,407 Rogers B. Downey Gerald H. Cook Dec. 14, 1971 3,593,643
Rogers B. Downey July 20, 1971 3,641,909 Philip G. Baker Feb. 15,
1972 3,595,157 Philip G. Baker Gerald H. Cook Rogers B. Downey July
27, 1971
All of these patents are assigned to the assignee of the present
invention. Each of the systems described in the aforementioned
patents most advantageously employ a cassette from which the film
need not be removed during 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 to the viewing public shortly after events of interest
have occurred and been photographed.
In some of these new systems the processing fluid is initially
stored in a dispensing container having an applicator, in some 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 from which
it can be expelled into an applicator at the proper time.
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 protecting a rupturable processing fluid
containing pod, for subsequently rupturing that pod and for
expelling the fluid therefrom. This improved system is particularly
well suited for use in a compact multi-purpose film handling
cassette devised for insertion into a unique processor-projector
unit, the overall system being adapted for operation by the
photographer himself.
One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide an
improved system for protecting a rupturable fluid containing pod
from premature accidental rupture.
Another primary object of this invention is to provide an improved
system for rupturing a fluid containing pod.
An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved
system for incorporating a rupturable processing fluid containing
pod into a film handling cassette.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved
film handling cassette incorporating a rupturable processing fluid
containing pod and means for selectively rupturing that pod.
Also, an object of this invention is to provide a cassette of the
type mentioned incorporating means for indicating to the operator
when the processing fluid containing pod has been ruptured.
A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus for
receiving cassettes of the type indicated and for cooperating with
the pod rupturing means thereof to effect a rupturing of the
pod.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE 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 embodiments when read in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers have been
employed in the different figures to denote the same parts
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cutaway plan view of a compact
multi-purpose motion picture film handling cassette embodying
features of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cassette
illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cutaway plan view of the back face of the
cassette of FIG. 1 illustrating the displaceable rigid member
incorporated in the cassette in its original position and the
operable relationship between that member and externally mounted
force applying means;
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the manner in which the rupturable
pod is mounted within the cassette taken generally along line 4--4
of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the manner in which the rupturable
pod and displaceable rigid member are initially mounted within the
cassette taken generally along line 5--5 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view of the
processor-projector unit embodying features of this invention
illustrating the cassette of FIG. 1 positioned therein;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatic vertical view of the cassette
receiving chamber of the processor-projector unit illustrated in
FIG. 5 depicting the cassette of FIG. 1 about to be inserted
thereinto;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic sectional vertical view of an
alternate embodiment of the cassette receiving chamber and pod
rupturing means of the processor-projector unit of this invention
illustrating the cassette of FIG. 1 mounted therein; and
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of the cassette of FIG. 1 mounted in
the processor-projector unit of FIG. 8 taken along line 9--9 of
FIG. 8.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of this invention briefly comprises a
support member provided with a recessed portion adapted to receive
a rupturable processing fluid filled pod having a weakened portion.
The rupturable pod may be generally rectangular in configuration
and relatively flat when filled with the processing fluid, with the
weakened portion comprising a seal along one end thereof. When
mounted in the aforementioned recessed portion of the support
member, one of the rectangular faces of the pod is seated against a
support surface. A flexible cover plate is connected to the support
plate so as to overlie the pod positioned within the recessed
portion. This flexible cover plate includes a rib centrally
positioned with respect to the pod and extending therefrom against
the pod so that substantially no fluid is disposed within the pod
between the rib and the support surface. This arrangement prevents
premature accidental rupturing of the pod. The rib extends a
distance along the cover plate intermediate opposed ends of that
plate, one end of the rib being positioned adjacent the weakened
seal of the pod. In applications where it is necessary to enhance
the flexible nature of the cover plate, the rib may be V-shaped in
configuration.
Intermediate the flexible cover plate and the support surface
adjacent the end of the pod furtherest removed from the pod's
weakened seal, there is initially positioned a circular rod which
extends the width of the pod in a direction parallel to the
weakened seal. This rod is adapted to be displaced along the pod
intermediate the cover plate and the pod. In this respect, the end
of the cover plate's rib adjacent the initial position of the rod
within the recessed portion of the support plate is tapered to
facilitate such displacement of the rod. The other end of the cover
plate's rib terminates sharply so that, once the rod has been
displaced along the length of the rib, this end of the rib serves
to prevent any subsequent displacement of the rod within the
recessed portion of the support plate.
The flexible cover plate includes openings adjacent the initial
position of the displaceable rod to permit an externally mounted
force applying means to be introduced between the cover plate and
the support surface to effect the aforementioned displacement of
the rod. As the rod is displaced across the pod, it is pressed
firmly against the pod by the cover plate. In this connection the
cover plate is deflected outwardly away from the pod by the rod
and, if necessary, externally mounted restraining means may be
positioned to limit the extent to which the cover plate is
permitted to be deflected in a direction away from the pod. During
its displacement, the rod first causes the pod to rupture and then
the processing fluid to be expelled therefrom.
Visual access means are provided through the cover plate adjacent
the final displaced position of the rod so that an operator can
readily ascertain whether the pod contained within the recessed
portion of the support plate has been ruptured by noting the
position of the rod.
Most advantageously, this unique system for rupturing a fluid
containing pod may be incorporated into a compact multi-purpose
motion picture film handling cassette. Such a cassette may include
coplanar supply and takeup spools to which respective ends of a
strip of unexposed photographic material are fixed. Substantially
the entire length of the unexposed photographic film strip is
initially coiled around the supply spool and, in reaching the
takeup spool, passes across an applicator and an exposure and
projection station. The applicator communicates with the weakened
seal of the rupturable pod so that when the processing fluid is
expelled from the pod it is fed to the applicator. A light
reflecting element is positioned within the exposure and projection
station with the film strip passing through that station
intermediate of that element and a film gate of the cassette.
This film handling cassette is adapted to be first mounted in a
camera for exposure operations. During these operations, the
processing station is inoperative and the photosensitive film strip
is progressively drawn across the film gate onto the takeup spool.
After the picture taking process has been completed, the cassette
may be withdrawn from the camera, and inserted into a specially
configured processor-projector unit. This unit includes a pair of
arms adapted to enter the cassette through the openings provided in
its flexible cover plate during the insertion process to displace
the rod along the cassette's rupturable pod. Restraining means of
the processor-projector unit limit the deflection of the cassette's
flexible plate during this insertion and pod rupturing
operation.
Drive means of the processor-projector unit first engage the
cassette's supply spool to return the exposed film strip from the
takeup spool to the supply spool. During this operation, the
exposed film strip passes across the applicator and draws
processing fluid therefrom to form a uniform coating of the fluid
along its entire surface. Drive means of the processor-projector
unit engaging the cassette's takeup spool may then be energized to
return the processed film strip across the cassette's film gate in
front of the light reflecting element to the takeup spool for
projection operations.
In an alternate embodiment of the processor-projector unit adapted
to receive the cassette described above, the force applying members
of that unit are initially disposed out of operable association
with the cassette's displaceable rod when the cassette is first
mounted in that unit. These force applying members are displaceably
disposed within the processor-projector unit so that they may be
subsequently selectively introduced into the cassette to effect a
rupturing of the fluid filled pod.
In both of these embodiments of the processor-projector unit, an
ejection spring is compressed by the cassette as it is introduced
thereinto and a latch engages a recess of the cassette to retain
the cassette therein against the force of that spring until it is
desired to eject the cassette from that unit.
DESCRIPTION OF A 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
image-recording 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 simplication 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
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 U.S. Pats. of 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 the illustrated preferred
embodiments of the invention are 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 preferred embodiments of this invention may best be
understood by first referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. As
may be seen therein, a compact multi-purpose film handling cassette
10 is basically constituted by a pair of housing members 11 and 12
connected together to form an enclosed opaque housing. The housing
member 12 is provided with a recessed portion 13 and a cover plate
14 which in combination define an enclosed section 15 separated
from the main section 17 of the cassette 10.
Cut-out portions of the housing members 11 and 12 define an opening
18 through which image carrying light rays may enter and/or leave
the cassette 10 and, further, through which an aperture plate of a
camera or of a projector may be introduced into the cassette. In
this embodiment, the cassette 10 is relatively flat and generally
rectangular parallelepiped in configuration. A supply spool 20 and
a takeup spool 22 are co-planarly mounted within section 17 of the
cassette 10 for rotation about parallel axes. A strip of unexposed
photographic material 24, of the type previously discussed and
provided with perforations 25 and leaders affixed to the supply
spool 20 and to the takeup spool 22, is initially substantially
entirely coiled around the supply spool. Passing from the supply
spool 20 to the takeup spool 22, the strip of photographic material
24 sequentially travels around idlers 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34.
Advantageously, the idlers 30 and 32 are positioned in opposite
corners or extremities of the cassette 10 on the same side of the
supply spool 20 and the takeup spool 22. Additionally, the idler 28
is advantageously positioned in the corner of the cassette 10
disposed on the other side of the supply spool 20 from the takeup
spool 22 and on the opposite side of those spools from the idlers
30 and 32.
A rupturable pod 36 is positioned in the section 15 of the cassette
10 adjacent the housing member 12. The nature of this pod, the
manner in which it is mounted in the section 15 of the cassette 10
and the means by which it is ruptured will be described in
considerable detail hereinafter. However, at this point, it should
be noted that this pod 36 includes a weakened seal 38 connected to
a fluid feeding device 40 provided with an exit orifice 42. This
orifice 42 in turn communicates through an opening 44 in the
housing member 12 with a fluid reservoir chamber 46 of a dispensing
container 48. Extending from the dispensing container 48 is a
rectangular projection 300 which defines an orifice through which
processing fluid within the reservoir chamber 46 may be expressed
from the dispensing container. One edge of the end of the
projection 300 is formed with a taper 302, the purpose of which
will subsequently become obvious.
Guide tracks 304 and 306 are formed in an outside face of the
dispensing container 48 for purposes of slidably receiving an
actuator 308. This actuator 308 is formed with a leaf spring 310,
which engages the inside face of the wall 64 of the cassette 10 to
firmly seat the actuator in the guide tracks 304 and 306, and
further, with a tang 312 extending over and across the side of the
dispensing container 48 from which the projection 300 extends. A
circular aperture 314 in the actuator 308 is positioned in
alignment with an elongated slot 316 passing through the cassette's
wall 64 in order that an externally mounted force applying member
may be received thereinto for purposes of effecting an upward
displacement of the actuator along the guide tracks 304 and 306
from its position as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. One end of a
strip of flexible material 328 is spring mounted to the structure
of the cassette 10 while its other end is connected to the tang
312. This strip of flexible material 328 is disposed over the end
of the rectangular projection 300 and includes an opening (not
shown) positioned to be out of alignment with the orifice of that
projection when disposed in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 and
so as to be in alignment with that orifice when the actuator 308 is
displaced to its upwardmost position along the guide tracks 304 and
306.
Additionally, a support plate 330 is pivotably connected between
the ends of a uniquely configured U-shaped spring 332 mounted on
the dispensing container 48. It will be noted that this U-shaped
spring 332 includes an offset 334 adapted to be engaged by the tang
312 when it is positioned as shown in FIG. 1.
Intermediate the idlers 28 and 30, the strip of photographic
material 24 is disposed between and in spaced apart relationship to
the strip of flexible material 328 and the support plate 330.
However, it will be appreciated that when the actuator 308 is
displaced upwardly, the tang 312 is removed from contact with the
offset 334 in the spring 332 thereby permitting the support plate
330 to slidably engage the strip of photographic material 24
against that section of the strip of flexible material 328 disposed
across the projection 300. Thus, when the actuator 308 is in its
position as shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing container 48 is sealed
by the strip of flexible material 328 and the strip of photographic
material 24 may be transported between and out of contact with that
strip of flexible material and the support plate 330. Also,
whenever the actuator 308 is moved upwardly along the guide tracks
304 and 306, the strip of flexible material 328 is displaced into
an unsealing relationship with the dispensing container 48 and the
support plate 330 slidably engages the strip of photographic
material 24 against the strip of flexible material.
The rupturable pod 36 initially contains a quantity of processing
fluid 58 (See FIG. 4) suitable to form visible images from images
recorded on the film strip 24 during exposure operations. This
particular type of rupturable pod-fluid feeding device-dispensing
container system is the subject of aforementioned U.S. Pat. No.
3,608,455. It should be noted that, in the preferred embodiment,
the capacity of the reservoir chamber 46 of the dispensing
container 48 is equivalent to or greater than that of the
rupturable pod 36. For instance, it has been found that
approximately 2cc. of processing fluid is sufficient to treat 50
feet of Super-8 format film. Under such conditions, the pod 36
would have a capacity of 2cc. and the capacity of the dispensing
container's reservoir chamber 46 should be on the order of 2 to
21/2 cc.
It will be appreciated that the application of a compressive force
progressively along the length of the pod 36 towards its weakened
seal 38 and across the fluid feeding device 40 will first effect a
rupturing of the pod and then cause the processing fluid 58 to be
expelled therefrom into the dispensing container's reservoir
chamber 46. Once the processing fluid 58 has been expelled into the
reservoir chamber 46 and the actuator 308 displaced upwardly from
its position shown in FIG. 1, transport of the film strip in a
direction from the takeup spool 22 to the supply spool 20 will
cause the film strip to draw processing fluid from the dispensing
container 48 to form a fluid coating therealong.
The thickness of the strip of flexible material 328 is
determinative of the thickness of the fluid coating applied to the
film strip 24 and the taper 302 provides a relatively sharp doctor
blade for applying that coating to the film strip.
Mounted between the housing member 12 and a wall 64 of the housing
member 11 is a light sealing arcuate member 66, one end of which is
positioned against the dispensing container 48. The other end of
the member 66 is connected to one end of a second light sealing
arcuate member 68 which extends to within the vicinity of the idler
32. These arcuate members 66 and 68, in combination with the
dispensing container 48, serve to effectively divide the section 17
of the cassette 10 into a first compartment 70 sealed in a
lighttight manner from a second compartment 72. Additionally, it
will be noted that in the illustrated preferred embodiment the
supply spool 20, the light sealing arcuate member 66 and a wall 74
of the dispensing container 48 share a common center of curvature.
Thus the arcuate member 66 and the wall 74 further serve to control
the disposition of that portion of the film strip 24 coiled around
the supply spool 20 within the cassette 10. Similarly, the takeup
spool 22 and the light sealing arcuate member 68 share a common
center of curvature and, consequently, the arcuate member 68 serves
to control the disposition of that portion of the film strip 24
coiled around the takeup spool within the cassette 10.
It should also be noted at this point that the wall 64 of the
cassette 10 is provided with an opening 76 communicating with the
aforementioned opening 18 of the cassette. As will subsequently
become more apparent, this opening 76 permits light rays from an
external light source to be introduced into the cassette 10 for
film projection purposes.
As shown in FIG. 1, a resilient member 78 is connected to the
inside face of the wall 64 by any suitable means, such as rivets
80, and extends over and in spaced relationship to the end surfaces
82 and 84 of the idlers 32 and 34, respectively. Provided in the
wall 64 is an aperture 86 disposed over the resilient member 78
whereby an external force applying member may be selectively
introduced into the cassette 10 to urge the resilient member's end
portions 88 and 90 into frictional engagement with the idlers 32
and 34, respectively, to restrain further rotational movement of
those idlers. In order to effectively light seal the interior of
the cassette 10, a ring 92 mounted on the resilient member 78 is
coaxially disposed with respect to the aperture 86 and adapted to
seat in an annular recess 94 of the wall 64.
Mounted within compartment 72 of the cassette 10 so as to be in
alignment with the opening 18 is a pressure plate assembly 96 in
which is mounted a light reflecting element 98. It will be noted
that this light reflecting element 98 is disposed in operable
relationship to both the opening 18 and the opening 76 of the
cassette 10. In the preferred embodiment, the light reflecting
element 98 is prismatic in nature and includes a concave light
receiving transparent face 100 and a flat reflecting surface 102
which reflects light received into the element through the light
receiving face 100 outwardly thereof through a convex transparent
face 104.
The pressure plate assembly 96 includes a leaf spring 106 which
seats against a boss 108 formed integrally with the housing member
12 to continually urge the pressure plate assembly towards the
cassette's opening 18. The pressure plate assembly 96 is mounted
within the cassette 10 so that it may be displaced inwardly of the
cassette from the opening 18 when the aperture plate of a camera or
a projector is positioned in operative relationship therewith.
Forming part of the pressure plate assembly 96 is a mounting
bracket 110 which serves to fixedly position the light reflecting
element 98 with respect to the pressure plate assembly and, more
particularly, with respect to an aperture 112 of that assembly.
While the particular form of pressure plate assembly 96 and light
reflecting element 98 do not constitute part of the present
invention, they may advantageously take the form of the pressure
plate assembly described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No.
3,627,407 and of the light reflecting element described in the
copending application Ser. No. 767,609 of Herbert A. Bing filed
Oct. 15, 1968, now abandoned and replaced by Ser. No. 118,936 filed
Sept. 25, 1971.
The spools 20 and 22 are respectively provided with fluted recesses
114 and 116 which are adapted to receive externally mounted drive
means through apertures 115 and 117 appropriately provided through
the cassette's wall 64. Thus the cassette 10 includes means for
reversibly transporting the strip of photographic material 24
between the supply spool 20 and the takeup spool 22 across the
dispensing container's projection 300 and the pressure plate
assembly 96. The cassette's opening 18 constitutes a film gate
adapted to serve as an exposure station during a first pass of the
photosensitive film strip 24 across the pressure plate assembly 96
and as a projection station during subsequent operations in which
the film strip, in a fully processed condition, is advanced from
the supply spool 20 to the takeup spool 22.
Idler 30, around which the film strip 24 passes on its way from the
supply spool 20 to the pressure plate assembly 96 may, if desired,
be mounted on a movable post spring biased toward the corner which
it occupies in the housing of the cassette 10 and capable of being
moved resiliently inward away from that corner. Also, idler 32 may
be spring biased toward the corner which it occupies in the housing
of 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 24 by the conventional intermittent film
advancement structure during these exposure and projection
operations.
Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the housing
member 12 is provided with a pair of channels 118 and 120 adjacent
respective sides of its recessed portion 13 which are adapted to
receive opposed edges 122 and 124, respectively, of the flexible
cover plate 14. Additionally, the housing member 12 is provided
with a channel 126 adapted to receive the cover plate's edge 128.
The other end 130 of the cover plate 14 curves around the adjacent
edge of the rupturable pod 36 to seat against the frame member 12.
A displaceable rigid member 132, which may be a circular bar or rod
formed of a metal such as stainless steel, is initially positioned
between the end 130 of the cover plate 14 and the frame member 12
adjacent the rupturable pod 36. The end 130 of the plate 14
includes a pair of openings 134 and 136, which in the illustrative
embodiment are formed by corner cut-outs in that end of the plate,
for a purpose which will subsequently become obvious. This plate 14
is formed with a V-shaped rib 138 extending from its inside face so
as to initially bear against the pod 36 to displace the processing
fluid 58 contained therein towards the opposed ends thereof away
from the rib 138. Preferably the height of this rib 138 is such
that substantially no processing fluid is initially disposed
between that member and the support surface 140 of the housing
member 12. Since the cover plate 14 is flexible, this arrangement
prevents premature accidental rupturing of the pod 36 responsive to
an external force bearing against the outside face of the cover
plate. Alternately, the opposed walls of the pod 36 may be sealed
together along a section thereof against which the rib 138 is
adapted to initially seat.
It will be appreciated that the housing members 11 and 12, as well
as various elements associated therewith, e.g., the light sealing
members 66 and 68 and the boss 160, may, for example, be formed
from a suitable thermoplastic resin, such as an acrylic or a
polystyrene, in inexpensive injection molding processes. Similarly,
the dispensing container 48 and the cover plate 14 may be formed by
injection molding processes employing the same types of material.
In order to facilitate the flexible nature of the cover plate 14,
its edges 122 and 124 may be affixed to the housing member 12, as
by ultrasonic welding, while its edge 128 and end 130 merely
initially seat against the housing member 12. In the embodiment
illustrated, the rib 138 is V-shaped thereby further facilitating
the flexing of the cover plate 14 in a direction away from the pod
36. Obviously, in many applications the flexible characteristic of
the material from which the cover plate 14 is formed will be
adequate and the rib 138 need not be V-shaped. In such instances,
the outside face of the cover plate 14 may present a continuously
flat surface.
It will be noticed that one end of the V-shaped rib 138 is formed
with a taper 142 while its other end 144 terminates in a sharp
right angle turn. Additionally, the cover plate 14 has an aperture
146 passing therethrough adjacent the end 144 of the V-shaped rib
138. This aperture 146 provides visible access to the operator into
the interior of the cassette's recessed portion 3. The purposes for
these features will subsequently become apparent.
The rupturable pod 36 and the fluid feeding device 40 connected
thereto may be formed of any suitable materials. Typically, the
walls of the rupturable pod 36 may consist of an outer layer of
pouch or glassine paper, an intermediate layer of lead foil and an
inner liner of polyvinylchloride material. The polyvinylchloride
liners may be bonded together adjacent their edge portions to
effect the sealing of the fluid filled cavity with the seal 38
being substantially weaker than the seals around the other edges of
the pod 36. Typically, the walls of the fluid feeding device 40 may
be formed of an outer layer of pouch or glassine paper bonded to an
inner layer of polyethylene material. Again the polyethylene
material layers may be bonded together where appropriate and also
bonded to the outer layer of the walls of the pod 36 to connect the
fluid feeding device to the pod. Preferably the outside surface of
the assembly comprising the pod 36 and fluid feeding device 40
adjacent the support surface 140 is adhered thereto by any suitable
means to fixedly position that assembly within the recess 13.
It will thus be appreciated that a pair of force applying arms 148
and 150 (see FIG. 3) may be introduced into the section 15 of the
cassette 10 through the openings 134 and 136, respectively, in the
cover plate 14 so as to engage the rod 132 and to displace it from
its original position, as shown in FIG. 3, along the assembly
comprising the rupturable pod 36 and the fluid feeding device 40 to
its position shown in phantom in that figure of the drawings. In
the course of such a displacement of the rod 132, the taper 142 of
the rib 138 facilitates the movement of the rod onto the rib, while
the sharply angled configuration of the other end 144 of the rib
serves to fixedly position the rod within the recess 13 once it has
been displaced from its initial position to its position shown in
phantom in FIG. 3. As the rod travels along the pod 36 and the
fluid feeding device 40, the cover plate 14 is deflected from its
initial position to its position shown in phantom in FIGS. 4 and 5
of the drawings. At the same time, the resilient force of the
flexible cover plate 14 serves to firmly press the rod 132 against
first the pod 36 and then the fluid feeding device 40. In some
applications this force will be insufficient by itself to effect a
rupturing of the pod 36. Under such circumstances a restraining
member may be positioned adjacent and in carefully spaced
relationship to the outside face of the flexible cover plate 14.
Such a restraining member serves to preclude the rod 132 from
deflecting the plate 14 greater than a predetermined distance away
from the pod 36 whereby the rod presses against the pod with
sufficient force to rupture the pod and to cause the fluid 58 to be
expelled therefrom into the reservoir chamber 46.
After the strip of photographic material 24 has been exposed with
the cassette 10 mounted in an appropriate camera (not shown) during
its travel from the supply spool 20 onto the takeup spool 22, it is
preferably processed and projected with the cassette mounted in a
specially devised processor-projector unit 152 diagrammatically
illustrated in part in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. As shown
therein, the unit 152 includes a cassette receiving chamber 154
formed of interconnected support plates 156, 168, 160, 162 and 164.
A plurality of elongated standoffs 166 mounted on the
aforementioned support plates and extending from those plates
interiorly of the cassette receiving chamber 154 serve to first
guide the cassette 10 into that chamber and, once the cassette has
been fully inserted thereinto, to support and align the cassette.
Typically, the support plates 156, 158, 160, 162 and 164 are formed
from a material such as stainless steel while the elongated
standoffs 166 are formed from a polymeric material such as
polytetrafluoroethylene.
Preferably, the cassette receiving chambers 154 is oriented within
the processor-projector unit 152 so that the cassette 10 is
inserted vertically downward thereinto (as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7)
through a slot (not shown) in the top panel 168 of that unit.
A pair of rigid arms 172 and 174, which may be formed integrally
with the support plate 162, extend from the support plate 162 and
curve upwardly into parallel relationship therewith. These arms 172
and 174 are positioned and configured to pass under a portion of
the cassette 10 and into the openings 134 and 136, respectively, of
the cassette's cover plate 14 when the cassette is fully inserted
into the processor-projector unit 152. The length of these arms 172
and 174 is such that when the cassette has been seated against the
standoffs 166 attached to the support plate 164, they have effected
a displacement of the rod 132 from its initial position within the
cassette to its position shown therein in phantom in FIGS. 3 and 7.
The position of the arms 172 and 174 within the cassette 10 after
the cassette has been fully inserted into the receiving chamber 154
of the processor-projector unit 152 is shown in phantom in the
illustration of the cassette in FIG. 7.
A roller 176 is mounted from the support plate 158 so as to engage
the outside face of the cassette's housing member 11 as the
cassette 10 is inserted into the processor-projector unit's
receiving chamber 154. The mounting arrangement for this roller 176
precludes displacement of the roller in a right or left handed
direction as viewed in FIG. 6 of the drawings. Connected to the
support plate 162 is a leaf spring 178 which extends over a cut-out
portion 182 of that support plate and on which is mounted a second
roller 180. The leaf spring 178 is initially seated against the
outside face of the support plate 162 with the roller 180 extending
through the cut-out portion 182 of that plate. These rollers 176
and 180 are positioned in vertical alignment with each other and
the ends of the arms 170 and 172, with the initial spacing
therebetween being slightly greater than the distance between the
outside faces of the cassette's cover plate 14 and housing member
11. As the cassette 10 is inserted into the processor-projector
unit 152, the arms 172 and 174 effect a progressive displacement of
the rod 132 across the rupturable pod 36 and the fluid feeding
device 40 in the course of which displacement the cover plate 14 is
deflected by the rod away from the pod 36. In deflecting, the cover
plate 14 engages the peripheral surface of the roller 180 and
effects a displacement of that roller in a left handed direction as
viewed in FIG. 5 against the force exerted thereon by the spring
178. The strength of the spring 178 is such that the rod 132 is
pressed against the pod 36 and fluid feeding device 40 with
sufficient force to effect a rupturing of the pod's weakened seal
38 and to expell the processing fluid 58 from the pod into the
dispensing container's reservoir chamber 46. Also, the spring 178
is designed so that it will exert a substantially constant force on
the cassette's cover plate 14 regardless of the extent to which it
is displaced by the cover plate. This arrangement, in combination
with a rib 138 of substantial height, accommodates for acceptable
manufacturing tolerances associated with the production of the
cassette. More specifically, the fact that the rib 138 has a
substantial height imparts a substantial amount of deflection to
the cover plate 14 as the rod 132 is displaced within the cassette
10 and the initial positions of the rollers 176 and 180 permits
cassettes of slightly varying thicknesses to be inserted
therebetween. Thus, a predetermined force is exerted against pod 36
even though there may be slight differences between the thicknesses
of the cassette 10 in which they are housed. During the deflection
of the cover plate 14, the roller 176 serves to support the
cassette's frame member 11 so that it is not distorted by the
forces associated with the displacement of the rod 132. These
rollers 176 and 180 may be formed of any suitable material such as
nylon or hard rubber.
Extending through the processor-projector unit's support plate 164
is a telescoping container 184 comprising a first section 186
fixedly mounted to the support plate 164 and a second section 188
slideably disposed through the support plate 164. A compression
spring 190 housed within the container 184 continually urges the
two sections 186 and 184 of that container into their fully
extended positions as shown in FIG. 7. Spring mounted from the
processor-projector unit's support plate 162 and extending through
an opening 194 therein, is a latch 196. This latch 196 is adapted
to seat in a recess 192 provided in the outside face of the
cassette's housing member 12 when the cassette 10 is fully inserted
into the receiving chamber 154. The spring 193 terminates in a
finger portion 198 which may be selectively engaged by conventional
means (not shown in these figures of the drawing) extending through
the processor-projector unit's top panel 168 to displace the spring
in a direction away from the support plate 162 so that the latch
196 is disengaged from the cassette's recess 192.
It will thus be appreciated that the cassette 10 is inserted into
the processor-projector unit's receiving chamber 154 against the
force of the compression spring 190 causing the first section 186
of the telescoping container 184 to be displaced inwardly of the
container's second section 188. Once the cassette 10 has been fully
seated in the receiving chamber 154 of the processor-projector unit
152, the latch 196 enters the cassette's recess 192 to restrain the
cassette in that unit against the force of the compressed spring
190. When the operator causes the spring 193 to be displaced in a
direction away from the support plate 162, the latch 196 is
withdrawn from the recess 192 and the spring 190 will eject the
cassette 10 from the processor-projector unit 152. It is preferred
that this spring 190 be configured to displace the cassette 10
upwardly within the receiving chamber 154 to a position where it is
easily accessible for manual removal from the unit 152, rather than
to actually propel the cassette from that unit. However, it is to
be understood that as used herein the terms "ejecting", "ejection",
etc. are employed in a broad sense, i.e., to cover either of these
situations.
OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
To summarize the operation of the preferred embodiment of this
invention, the cassette 10 is initially furnished with
substantially all of the film strip 24 in an unexposed condition
coiled on the supply spool 20, the processing fluid 58 retained in
the rupturable pod 36, the rod 132 disposed in its position shown
in FIG. 5 of the drawings and with the film strip 24 positioned
intermediate of, and is spaced relationship to, the projection 300
and the support plate 330 (See FIG. 1). For exposure purposes, the
cassette 10 is mounted in an appropriate camera (not shown) with
the drive means of the camera engaging the recess 116 of the takeup
spool 22 through a friction clutching arrangement as is
conventional. While the particular camera employed does not form
part of the present invention, it may advantageously take the form
of that described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,071. It
will be noted that the camera described in that application
includes a door mounted pin which automatically enters the cassette
10 through its aperture 86 to snub the idlers 32 and 34 whenever
the cassette is mounted therein. The aperture plate of the camera,
which may also take a conventional form, operably engages the
cassette's pressure plate assembly 96 to position the section of
the film strip 24 disposed thereacross in the proper focal plane.
Also, a conventional intermittent film advancement mechanism of the
camera engages the perforations 25 of the film strip 24 to effect
proper step advancement of the film strip along tthe pressure plate
assembly 96. In this manner, the operator can selectively record
images on the photosensitive film strip 24 as it traverses the
cassette's opening 18 on its way from the supply spool 20 to the
takeup spool 22. In the embodiment illustrated, the photosensitive
surface of the film strip 24 faces inwardly of the cassette 10 such
that exposure of the photosensitive emulsion is effected through
the transparent film base. After the film strip 24 has been
completely exposed, the cassette 10 can be quickly removed from the
camera and replaced, when desired, by an identical cassette
containing unexposed film.
The cassette 10 is now ready to be inserted into the unit 152 for
processing and projection operations. During the process of
inserting the cassette 10 into the processor-projector unit 152,
the arms 172 and 174 of that unit automatically effect a
displacement of rod 132 across the pod 36 and the fluid feeding
device 40 resulting in a rupturing of the pod, the processing fluid
58 initially retained therein being expelled therefrom through the
fluid feeding device into the dispensing container's reservoir
chamber 48. When the cassette has been seated against the standoffs
166 extending from the processor-projector unit's support plate
164, the latch 196 engages the cassette's recess 192 to restrain
the cassette in the processor-projector unit 152 against the force
exerted thereon by the telescoping container 184.
At this time a pin (not shown) of the processor-projector unit 152
is caused to be inserted into the cassette 10 through the elongated
slot 316 to engage the circular aperture 314 of the actuator 308
and to displace that actuator into its position wherein the strip
of flexible material 328 is disposed in an unsealing relationship
to the dispensing container 48 and the support plate 330 engages
the strip of photographic material 24 against the strip of flexible
material. Also, at this time the fluted recesses 114 and 116 of the
cassette's supply spool 20 and takeup spool 22, respectively, are
engaged by drive shafts 400 and 402 (See FIG. 6) slidably mounted
in the processor-projector unit 152. These shafts 400 and 402 are
connected in a conventional manner to a motor (not shown) in order
to facilitate selective reversible transport of the film strip 24
between the supply spool 20 and the takeup spool 22. As is
conventional, the drive shaft which engages the takeup spool 22 is
connected to the motor through a friction clutching arrangement. By
now turning an appropriate switch, located on the control panel
(not shown) of the processor-projector unit 152, the exposed strip
of material 24 is returned from the takeup spool 22 to the supply
spool 20. During this sequence, the exposed photographic film strip
24 passes across the rectangular projection 300 and draws
processing fluid 58 from the dispensing container 48 to form a
uniform fluid coating along its entire length. In this respect, it
will be noted that, with the cassette 10 inserted into the unit
152, the projection 300 is disposed at the lowermost point of the
dispensing container 48 and the force of gravity causes processing
fluid 58 to be continually fed towards the film strip 24 from the
reservoir chamber 46.
The motor of the processor-projector unit 152 is automatically
de-energized by conventional means (not shown) as soon as the
entire length of exposed film strip 24 has been drawn across the
projection 300 onto the supply spool 20. At this time, the pin of
the processor-projector unit 152 engaging the cassette's actuator
308 should be withdrawn from the cassette 10 to permit the film
strip 24 to return to a position where it is disposed out of
contact with the strip of flexible material 328 and the support
plate 330 and the strip of flexible material once again seals the
dispensing container 48. Additionally, the operator should now
effect a snubbing of the cassette's idlers 32 and 34. This may be
accomplished by displacing a pin (not shown) mounted in the
processor-projector unit adjacent the cassette's aperture 86 into
engagement with the cassette's resilient member 78.
The processor-projector unit 152 also includes other conventional
means not illustrated in the drawings associated with the
projection of the visible images recorded on the fully processed
film strip 24. These include an aperture plate and an intermittent
film advancement mechanism positioned in operable relationship to
the cassette's pressure plate assembly 96 through the cassette's
opening 18 and a light source positioned in operable relationship
to the cassette's opening 76. Additionally, such other conventional
means include a shutter mechanism and a lens system. By now turning
another switch located on the control panel of the
processor-projector unit 152, that unit's light source and motor
are simultaneously energized, in this instance the motor driving
both the aforementioned intermittent film advancement mechanism of
the unit 152 and the takeup spool 22 of the cassette 10. As the now
fully processed film strip 24 is once again drawn across the
cassette's opening 18 onto the takeup spool 22, visible images
contained thereon are projected for viewing purposes. In this
connection, the processor-projector unit's aperture plate acting
against the cassette's pressure plate assembly 96 accurately
positions the section of film strip 24 disposed therebetween at the
proper film plane for projection purposes. Simultaneously, light
rays from the light source of the processor-projector unit 152
enter the cassette 10 through its opening 76 and are redirected by
the light reflecting element 98 through the aperture 112 in the
pressure plate assembly 96 and the sections of the film strip 24
intermittently positioned thereover outwardly of the cassette
through its opening 18. Again, conventional means (not shown)
automatically de-energize the light source and motor of the
processor-projector unit 152 once the visible images on the entire
processed film strip 24 have been projected.
Preferably, the film strip 24 is returned from the takeup spool 22
to the supply spool 20 before removing the cassette 10 from the
processor-projector unit 152. Removal of the cassette 10 from the
processor-projector unit 152 is effected by deflecting the spring
193 so that the latch 196 connected thereto is disengaged from the
cassette's recess 192. Once the latch 196 is removed from the
recess 192, the force of the telescoping container 184 acting
against the cassette 10 automatically ejects the cassette from the
processor-projector unit 152.
The cassette 10 may be stored in this condition until it is once
again desired to view the fully processed film strip 24 retained
therein. In this respect, the operator may readily determine
whether the film strip 24 within a particular cassette 10 has been
processed. As previously indicated, if the rod 132 is visible
through the aperture 146 in the cassette's cover plate 14, the film
strip 24 within the cassette has been processed. Advantageously,
the cassette's pod 36 and cover plate 14, and the rod 132 have
sharply contrasting colors. For instance, the pod 36 and plate 14
may be black and the rod yellow. It will thus be quickly apparent
to the operator when the rod 132 within a particular cassette 10
has been displaced to effect a rupturing of the pod 36 contained
therein.
Editing of the developed film strip 24 can easily be effected. It
is only necessary to draw a loop of the film strip 24 from the
cassette's opening 18 and to remove sections therefrom or to splice
sections thereinto as desired.
DESCRIPTION OF AN ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT
An alternate embodiment of the means for effecting a displacement
of the rod 132 within the cassette 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and
8 of the drawings. The same numerals primed are employed in those
figures to denote parts of that embodiment which remain
substantially unchanged from the embodiment illustrated in other
figures of the drawings.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a cassette 10' is shown fully
inserted into the cassette receiving chamber 154' of a
processor-projector 152'. In this particular unit 152', the
cassette receiving chamber 154' is, in part, formed by a support
member 200, a portion 202 of which extends below the receiving
chamber. Mounted from the inside face of the support member 200 and
its extended portion 202 are a pair of spaced apart parallel guide
members 204 and 206 between which another plate 208 is slideably
disposed. A pair of rigid arms 210 and 212, which may be formed
integrally with the plate 208, extend from that plate into parallel
relationship therewith. Mounted on the plate 208 and extending in
parallel relationship to, and intermediate of, the arms 210 and 212
is a rack 214. This rack 214 is engaged by a pinion 216 driven by a
motor 218. A normally opened switch or button 220, accessible to
the operator of the processor-projector unit 152, is connected in
series with the motor 218 and a power source 222 of the
processor-projector unit 152'. Also connected in series with the
power source 222 and the motor 218 of the processor-projector unit
152' is a normally closed switch 224.
As shown in FIG. 8, a spring mounted button 226 is mounted through
the processor-projector unit's top panel 168' so as to be in
alignment with the finger portion 198' of the latch 196'. This
arrangement is identical to that mentioned but not illustrated in
connection with the other embodiment of this invention. It permits
the latch 196' to be selectively displaced out of the cassette's
recess 192' to permit the telescoping container 184' to eject the
cassette 10' from the processor-projector unit 152'.
It will thus be appreciated that the cassette 10' may be inserted
into the receiving chamber 154' of the processor-projector unit
152' free from interference with the arms 210 and 212 (see FIG. 8).
In this arrangement, it is not necessary to overcome the force
required to rupture the pod 36' during the cassette insertion
process. During this insertion process, the section 188' of the
telescoping container 184' is displaced into the container's
section 186' against the force of the spring 190'. When the
cassette is fully inserted into the processor-projector unit 152',
the latch 196' enters the cassette's recess 192' to restrain the
cassette in that unit against the force of the spring 190'.
By closing the switch 220, the operator may effect a rupturing of
the pod 36'. In this connection, the pinion 216 attachd to the
motor 218 drives against the rack 214 so that the arms 210 and 212,
which are mounted on the same plate 208 as the rack, are introduced
into the cassette 10' through the openings 134' and 136',
respectively, in the cassette's cover plate 14'. The arms 210 and
212 effect a displacement of the rod 132' across the pod 36' and
the fluid feeding device 40'. This embodiment also includes rollers
(not shown) identical in form and function to rollers 176 and 180
described in connection with the first embodiment of the
invention.
It will be noted that a pin 228 extends from the rear face of the
plate 208 through an appropriate opening in the support plate 202
and is positioned on that plate 208 so as to trip the switch 224 at
such time as the rod 132' has been displaced to its final position
within the section 15' of the cassette 10'. The uppermost position
of the pin 228 is shown in phantom in FIG. 8 wherein the pin is
designated 228'. When the switch 224 is tripped, the weight of the
plate 208 and of the arms 210 and 212 and the rack 214 attached
thereto automatically returns the plate 208 to its original
position within the processor-projector unit 152' along guide
members 204 and 206. When desired the operator may eject the
cassette 10' from the processor-projector unit 152' by depressing
the spring mounted button 226.
Those familiar with the motion picture arts will readily appreciate
the novel and highly unique advantages of this invention. Most
importantly, a processing fluid containing pod and means for
rupturing that pod are permanently housed under a cover plate which
prevents premature accidental rupturing of the pod and permits an
external force applying member to actuate the pod rupturing
means.
The term "projector" is used herein in a comprehensive sense, 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 embodiments described herein are 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.
* * * * *