Reciprocating drawer type photographic apparatus and method

Claim 2

Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage comprising a container and at least a film unit including a sheet-like photosensitive element enclosed within said container, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for supporting the container of a film assemblage with the photosensitive element of a film unit therein, supported in the forward portion of the container in position for exposure; processing means for engaging and moving a film unit in a first direction while distributing a processing composition in contact with the photosensitive element of said film unit; means for moving a film unit from the exposure position thereof substantially in said first direction from a container into engagement with said processing means, the latter being adapted to continue the movement of said film unit in said first direction until said first unit is disengaged from said processing means; transport means for engaging a film unit and upon disengagement thereof from said processing means, automatically moving said film unit to a position out of alignment with said processing means prior to said transport means moving said film unit in a second direction generally opposite to said first direction, to the rear of and past said processing means, into said container from which said film unit was withdrawn to a storage position located rearwardly of said exposure position; and guide means for guiding said film unit rearwardly of said exposure position into said container during movement of said film unit in said second direction.

Claim 3

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transport means are mounted for reciprocating movement substantially in said first and second directions.

Claim 4

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said transport means include first engagement means for engaging the leading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said first direction and being movable in said first direction and being movable in said second direction in engagement with said film unit to introduce said film unit at least part way into the container from which it was withdrawn.

Claim 5

PhotogrAphic apparatus as defined in claim 3 further including means for moving said first film engagement means in said first direction from an initial position adjacent said processing means to a second position remote from said processing means during movement of a film unit in said first direction and then returning said first film engagement means in said second direction to said initial position thereof.

Claim 6

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including means providing a light-tight enclosure for said means for supporting a container with a film assemblage located in position for exposure and for said processing means, said first film engagement means being located within said enclosure in said initial position and being located outside of said enclosure in said second position.

Claim 7

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said enclosure has a normally fixed volume and further including means for temporarily expanding said volume of said enclosure during movement of said film unit in said first and second directions to maintain said film unit in a light-free environment.

Claim 8

Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage comprising a container and at least a film unit including a sheet-like photosensitive element enclosed within said container, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for supporting the container of a film assemblage with the photosensitive element of a film unit therein, supported in the forward portion of the container in position for exposure; processing means for engaging and moving a film unit in a first direction while distributing a processing composition in contact with the photosensitive element of said film unit; means for moving a film unit from the exposure position thereof substantially in said first direction from a container into engagement with said processing means, the latter being adapted to continue the movement of said film unit in said first direction until said film unit is disengaged from said processing means; transport means for engaging a film unit and, upon disengagement thereof from said processing means, moving said film unit in a second direction generally opposite to said first direction, to the rear of and past said processing means, into said container from which said film unit was withdrawn to a storage position located rearwardly of said exposure position, said transport means being mounted for reciprocating movement substantially in said first and second directions, and said transport means include first engagement means for engaging the leading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said first direction and being movable in said first direction and being movable in said second direction in engagement with said film unit to introduce said film unit at least part way into the container from which it was withdrawn and second film engagement means for engaging the leading end of a film unit partially introduced into the container from which it was withdrawn and moving said film unit in said second direction further into said container; and guide means for guiding said film unit rearwardly of said exposure position into said container during movement of said film unit in said second direction.

Claim 9

Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage comprising a container and at least a film unit including a sheet-like photosensitive element enclosed within said container, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for supporting the container of a film assemblage with the photosensitive element of a film unit therein, supported in the forward portion of the container in position for exposure; processing means for engaging and moving a film unit in a first direction while distributing a processing composition in contact with the photosensitive element of said film unit; means for moving a film unit from the exposure position thereof substantially in said first direction from a container into engagement with said processing means, the latter being adapted to continue the movement of said film unit in said first direction until said film unit is disengaged from said processing means; transport means for engaging a film unit and, upon disengagement thereof from said processing means, moving said film unit in a second direction generally opposite to said first direction, to the rear of and past said processing means, into said container from which said film unit was withdrawn to a storage position located rearwardly of said exposure position, said transport means being mounted for reciprocating movement substantially in said first and second directions, and said transport means include first engagement means for engaging the leading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said first direction and being movable in said first direction and being movable in said second direction in engagement with said film unit to introduce said film unit at least part way into the container from which it was withdrawn and second film engagement means for engaging the leading end of a film unit partially introduced into the container from which it was withdrawn and moving said film unit in said second direction further into said container; and guide means for guiding said film unit rearwardly of said exposure position into said container during movement of said film unit in said second direction.

Claim 10

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said transport means are movable from an initial position in which said first film engagement means are located adjacent said processing means and said second film engagement means are located behind the container of a film assemblage supported in position for exposure, to a second position in which said first film engagement means are displaced in said first direction from said initial position and said second film engagement means are located adjacent said processing means.

Claim 11

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said transport means include means for engaging a component of a film assemblage during movement of said transport means in said second direction to displace said component away from the path of movement of a film unit to permit introduction of said film unit into the container of the film assemblage.

Claim 12

Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage comprising a container and at least a film unit including a sheet-like photosensitive element enclosed within said container, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for supporting the container of a film assemblage with the photosensitive element of a film unit therein, supported in the forward portion of the container in position for exposure; processing means for engaging and moving a film unit in a first direction while distributing a processing composition in contact with the photosensitive element of said film unit; means for moving a film unit from the exposure position thereof substantially in said first direction from a container into engagement with said processing means, the latter being adapted to continue the movement of said film unit in said first direction until said film unit is disengaged from said processing means; transport means for engaging a film unit and, upon disengagement thereof from said processing means, moving said film unit in a second direction generally opposite to said first direction, to the rear of and past said processing means, into said container from which said film unit was withdrawn to a storage position located rearwardly of said exposure position, said transport means being mounted for reciprocating movement substantially in said first and second directions, said transport means include means for engaging a component of a film assemblage during movement of said transport means in said second direction to displace said component away from the path of movement of a film unit to permit introduction of said film unit into the container of the film assemblage, the last-mentioned means including camming means for engaging a component of a film assemblage biased rearwardly within the container thereof and displacing said component forwardly against the bias thereon to facilitate movement of a film unit into the container of said film assemblage behind said component; and guide means for guiding said film unit rearwardly of said exposure position into said container during movement of said film unit in said second direction.

Claim 13

Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage comprising a container and at least a film unit including a sheet-like photosensitive element enclosed within said container, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for supporting the container of a film assemblage with the photosensitive element of a film unit therein, supported in the forward portion of the container in position for exposure; processing means for engaging and moving a film unit in a first direction while distributing a processing composition in contact with the photosensitive element of said film unit; means for moving a film unit from the exposure position thereof substantially in said first direction from a container into engagement with said processing means, the latter being adapted to continue the movement of said film unit in said first direction until said film unit is disengaged from said processing means; transport means for engaging a film unit and, upon disengagement thereof from said processing means, moving said film unit in a second direction generally opposite to said first direction, to the rear of and past said processing means, into said container from which said film unit was withdrawn to a storage position located rearwardly of said exposure position, said transport means being mounted for reciprocating movement substantially in said first and second directions, said transport means include means for engaging a component of a film assemblage during movement of said transport means in said second direction to displace said component away from the path of movement of a film unit to permit introduction of said film unit into the container of the film assemblage, the last-mentioned means including camming means for engaging a component of a film assemblage biased rearwardly within the container thereof and displacing said component forwardly against the bias thereon to facilitate movement of a film unit into the container of said film assemblage behind said component; and guide means for guiding said film unit rearwardly of said exposure position into said container during movement of said film unit in said second direction.

Claim 14

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second film engagement means are spaced from one another by a distance less than the length of travel of said transport means in said first direction.

Claim 15

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said transport means are movable in said first direction from an initial position in which said first film engagement means are located adjacent said processing means.

Claim 16

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 12 further including means providing a light-tight enclosure for said means for supporting the container of a film assemblage located in position for exposure and for said processing means, and wherein said first film engagement means are located within said enclosure in said initial position of said transport means.

Claim 17

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said transport means include means for engaging a component of a film assemblage during movement of said transport means in said second direction to displace said component away from the path of movement of a film unit to permit introduction of said film unit into the container of said film assemblage.

Claim 18

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said enclosure means include a drawer having rear and side walls located within said housing adjacent the rear and sides, respectfully, of the container of a film assemblage supported in said housing, and a curtain cooperating with said drawer during extension thereof to form said light-free enclosure for a film unit during movement thereof.

Claim 19

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said first film engagement means are mounted on said drawer near an end thereof.

Claim 20

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said second film engagement means are mounted on said drawer near the opposite end thereof.

Claim 21

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including means providing a light-tight enclosure for said means for supporting the container of a film assemblage located in position for exposure and a movable closure member providing access to said enclosure near the end thereof opposite said processing means to enable removal of a processed film unit in said second direction from the container into which said film unit was introduced.

Claim 22

A photographic apparatus as defined in claim 18 including means associated with said closure member and movable thereby in said first direction into engagement with a film unit introduced in said first direction into said container to locate said film unit within said container in position to allow the introduction, in said second direction, of another film unit into said container.

Claim 23

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 further including enclosure means providing a light-tight enclosure for said means for supporting a container of a film assemblage in position for exposure and for said processing means and wherein at least a portion of said transport means move from and into said enclosure during movement, respectively, in said first and second directions.

Claim 24

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said enclosure means include a drawer having rear and side walls located within said housing adjacent the rear and sides, respectively, of the container of a film assemblage supported in said housing and a curtain cooperating with said drawer during extension thereof to form an expandable and collapsible light-free enclosure for a film unit during movement thereof.

Claim 25

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said transport means include first engagement means mounted on said drawer for engaging the leading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said first direction and being movable, together with said drawer, in said second direction in engagement with said film unit to introduce said film unit at least part way into the container from which it was withdrawn.

Claim 26

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said transport means further include second film engagement means for engaging the leading end of a film unit partially introduced into said container and moving said film unit in said second direction further into said container into said storage position.

Claim 27

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said first and second film engagement means are spaced from one another by a distance less than the length of travel of said drawer in said first direction.

Claim 28

In photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage including a film unit supported in exposure position substantially in a plane within the forward portion of a container, including processing means for engaging a film unit outside the container and distributing a processing composition within the film unit and a housing having substantially fixed dimensions providing an enclosure having a volume exceeding, by a relatively small amount, the aggregate volume of a film assemblage and said processing means, the improvement comprising a transport system for removing a film unit from exposure position within a container to effect the processing of the film unit and then returning the film unit to said container to a position therein behind the exposure position of the film unit while substantially maintaining the planar configuration of the film unit, said transport system comprising, in combination: enclosure means occupying a relatively small proportion of the volume of said housing; said enclosure means being extensible from an initial position at least partially within said housing, in the direction of movement of a film unit during distribution of a processing composition therein by said processing means, said enclosure means includiNg means for supporting the film unit substantially in a plane and, during extension, providing a light-free enclosure for the film unit; said processing means being adapted to engage and move a film unit in the aforementioned direction until said film unit is disengaged from said processing means; first film engagement means mounted on said enclosure means for engaging the leading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said direction while in engagement with said processing means and automatically displacing the trialing end of the film unit rearwardly upon disengagement thereof from said processing means; means for retracting said enclosure means and said film engagement means into said housing in a second direction substantially opposite to the said direction to move a film unit in said second direction to the rear of and past said processing means; and means for guiding the trailing end of a film unit into the container of a film assemblage during movement of the said film unit in said second direction past said processing means.

Claim 29

In photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage including a film unit supported in exposure position substantially in a plane within the forward portion of a container, including processing means for engaging a film unit outside the container and distributing a processing composition within the film unit and a housing having substantially fixed dimensions providing an enclosure having a volume exceeding, by a relatively small amount, the aggregate volume of a film assemblage and said processing means, the improvement comprising a transport system for removing a film unit from exposure position within a container to effect the processing of the film unit and then returning the film unit to said container to a position therein behind the exposure position of the film unit while substantially maintaining the planar configuration of the film unit, said transport system comprising, in combination: enclosure means occupying a relatively small proportion of the volume of said housing; said enclosure means being extensible from an initial position at least partially within said housing, in the direction of movement of a film unit during distribution of a processing composition therein by said processing means, said enclosure means includiNg means for supporting the film unit substantially in a plane and, during extension, providing a light-free enclosure for the film unit; said processing means being adapted to engage and move a film unit in the aforementioned direction until said film unit is disengaged from said processing means; first film engagement means mounted on said enclosure means for engaging the leading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said direction while in engagement with said processing means and automatically displacing the trialing end of the film unit rearwardly upon disengagement thereof from said processing means; means for retracting said enclosure means and said film engagement means into said housing in a second direction substantially opposite to the said direction to move a film unit in said second direction to the rear of and past said processing means; and means for guiding the trailing end of a film unit into the container of a film assemblage during movement of the said film unit in said second direction past said processing means.

Claim 30

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said enclosure means include a drawer having rear and side walls located within said housing adjacent the rear and sides, respectfully, of the container of a film assemblage supported in said housing and a curtain cooperating with said drawer during extension thereof to form said light-free enclosure for a film unit during movement thereof.

Claim 31

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein said first film engagement means are mounted on said drawer near the end thereof located adjacent said processing means in said initial position of said enclosure means.

Claim 32

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 27 further including second film engagement means mounted on said drawer at a position spaced from said first film engagement means for engaging the leading end of a film unit extending from the container of a film assemblage and moving said film unit in said second direction completely into said container.

Claim 33

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said first and second film engagement means are spaced from one another by a distance less than the length of travel of said drawer in said first-mentioned direction.

Claim 34

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein said drawer includes means for engaging a component of a film assemblage during movement of said drawer in said second direction to displace said component away from the path of movement of a film unit in said second direction to permit introduction of said film unit into the container of said film assemblage.

Claim 35

In photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage including a film unit supported in exposure position substantially in a plane within the forward portion of a container, including processing means for engaging a film unit outside the container and distributing a processing composition within the film unit and a housing having substantially fixed dimensions providing an enclosure having a volume exceeding, by a relatively small amount, the aggregate volume of a film assemblage and said processing means, the improvement comprising a transport system for removing a film unit from exposure position within a container to effect the processing of the film unit and then returning the film unit to said container to a position therein behind the exposure position of the film unit while substantially maintaining the planar configuration of the film unit, said transport system comprising, in combination: enclosure means occupying a relatively small proportion of the volume of said housing; said enclosure means being extensible from an initial position at least partially within said housing, in the direction of movement of a film unit during distribution of a processing composition therein by said processing means, said enclosure means including means for supporting the film unit substantially in a plane and, during extension, providing a light-free enclosure for the film unit; said processing means being adapted to engage and move a film unit in the aforementioned direction until said film unit is disengaged from said processing means; first film engagement means mounted on said enclosure means for engaging the leading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said direction while in engagement with said processing means and displacing the trailing end of the film unit rearwardly upon disengagement thereof from said processing means; means for retracting said enclosure means and said film engagement means into said housing in a second direction substantially opposite to the said direction to move a film unit in said second direction to the rear of and past said processing means; means for guiding the trailing end of a film unit into the container of a film assemblage during movement of the said film unit in said second direction past said processing means; and said enclosure means further includes a drawer having rear and side walls located within said housing adjacent the rear and sides, respectively, of the container of a film assemblage supported in said housing and a curtain cooperating with said drawer during extension thereof to form said light-free enclosure for a film unit during movement thereof, said drawer further including camming means for engaging and displacing a component of a film assemblage against the bias of resilient means away from the path of movement of a film unit in said second direction to permit introduction of said film unit into the container of said film assemblage.

Claim 36

In photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage including a film unit supported in exposure position substantially in a plane within the forward portion of a container, including processing means for engaging a film unit outside the container and distributing a processing composition within the film unit and a housing having substantially fixed dimensions providing an enclosure having a volume exceeding, by a relatively small amount, the aggregate volume of a film assemblage and said processing means, the improvement comprising a transport system for removing a film unit from exposure position within a container to effect the processing of the film unit and then returning the film unit to said container to a position therein behind the exposure position of the film unit while substantially maintaining the planar configuration of the film unit, said transport system comprising, in combination: enclosure means occupying a relatively small proportion of the volume of said housing; said enclosure means being extensible from an initial position at least partially within said housing, in the direction of movement of a film unit during distribution of a processing composition therein by said processing means, said enclosure means including means for supporting the film unit substantially in a plane and, during extension, providing a light-free enclosure for the film unit; said processing means being adapted to engage and move a film unit in the aforementioned direction until said film unit is disengaged from said processing means; first film engagement means mounted on said enclosure means for engaging the leading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said direction while in engagement with said processing means and displacing the trailing end of the film unit rearwardly upon disengagement thereof from said processing means; means for retracting said enclosure means and said film engagement means into said housing in a second direction substantially opposite to the said direction to move a film unit in said second direction to the rear of and past said processing means; means for guiding the trailing end of a film unit into the container of a film assemblage during movement of the said film unit in said second direction past said processing means; and said enclosure means further includes a drawer having rear and side walls located within said housing adjacent the rear and sides, respectively, of the container of a film assemblage supported in said housing and a curtain cooperating with said drawer during extension thereof to form said light-free enclosure for a film unit during movement thereof, said drawer further including camming means for engaging and displacing a component of a film assemblage against the bias of resilient means away from the path of movement of a film unit in said second direction to permit introduction of said film unit into the container of said film assemblage.

Claim 37

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said housing is formed with an opening therein near the end of said housing furthest from said processing means to permit removal of a processed film unit from the container of a film assemblage supported within said housing.

Claim 38

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 32 further including closure means for said opening, said closure means being movable between open and closed positions and including means for engaging a processed film unit within a container of said film assemblage at the end thereof farthest from said processing means and predeterminedly locating said film unit within said container in response to closure movement of said closure means.

Claim 39

A photographic method utilizing a film assemblage including a container and at least a photosensitive element located within a forward portion of said container, said method comprising the steps of: locating a photosensitive element within the container of a film assemblage in position for exposure; exposing said photosensitive element to form an image in said element; withdrawing said exposed photosensitive element, leading end foremost, in a first direction completely from said container through an opening therein at one end thereof; during withdrawal movement of said exposed photosensitive element, distributing a processing composition in contact with said exposed photosensitive element to initiate formation of a visible image in at least a layer associated with said photosensitive element, distribution of said processing composition being effected by moving said photosensitive element in a first direction in engagement with processing means until said photosensitive element is disengaged from said processing means; arresting movement of said exposed photosensitive element in said first direction at an intermediate position following disengagement of said photosensitive element from said processing means and initiation of visible image formation; automatically locating said film unit in position to be moved in a second direction back into said container; and moving said photosensitive element in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction at least partially into said container through an opening therein at said one end thereof to a position to the rear of said exposure position and any photosensitive element not previously withdRawn from said container.

Claim 40

A photographic method utilizing a film assemblage including a container and at least a photosensitive element located within a forward portion of said container, said method comprising the steps of: locating a photosensitive element within the container of a film assemblage in position for exposure; exposing said photosensitive element to form an image in said element; withdrawing said exposed photosensitive element, leading end foremost, in a first direction completely from said container through an opening therein at one end thereof; during withdrawal movement of said exposed photosensitive element, distributing a processing composition in contact with said exposed photosensitive element to initiate formation of a visible image in at least a layer associated with said photosensitive element, distribution of said processing composition being effected by moving said photosensitive element in a first direction in engagement with processing means until said photosensitive element is disengaged from said processing means; arresting movement of said exposed photosensitive element in said first direction at an intermediate position following disengagement of said photosensitive element from said processing means and initiation of visible image formation; automatically locating said film unit in position to be moved in a second direction back into said container; and moving said photosensitive element in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction at least partially into said container through an opening therein at said one end thereof to a position to the rear of said exposure position and any photosensitive element not previously withdRawn from said container.

Claim 41

A photographic method as defined in claim 34 wherein said photosensitive element is withdrawn through a first opening near the front of said container and is inserted into said container through a second opening near the rear of said container.

Claim 42

A photographic method as defined in claim 34 including the steps of arresting the movement of said photosensitive element in said second direction when said photosensitive element is only partially within said container and then recommencing and continuing the movement of said photosensitive element in said second direction at least until said photosensitive element is completely within said container.

Claim 43

A photographic method as defined in claim 36 wherein movement of said photosensitive element in said second direction from said intermediate position to a position at least partially within said container is effected by engaging said photosensitive element at the leading end thereof and pushing said photosensitive element into said container.

Claim 44

A photographic method as defined in claim 37 wherein movement of said photosensitive element completely into said container is effected by engaging said photosensitive element at the leading end thereof.

Claim 45

A photographic method as defined in claim 38 wherein said photosensitive element is engaged and moved completely into said container while a succeeding photosensitive element is being moved in said second direction.

Claim 46

A photographic method as defined in claim 37 wherein movement of said photosensitive element completely into said container is effected by engaging said photosensitive element at the opposite end thereof and drawing it in said second direction at least completely into said container.

Claim 47

A photographic method as defined in claim 40 wherein said photosensitive element is engaged manually at said other end thereof.

Claim 48

A photographic method as defined in claim 40 wherein said photosensitive element is drawn from said container through an opening in the end of said container opposite the first-mentioned opening.

Claim 49

A photographic process as defined in claim 34 wherein another photosensitive element is exposed and withdrawn from said container and treated with processing composition subsequent to exposure and processing the first-mentioned photosensitive element and then is introduced into said container into a position rearwardly of any photosensitive element previously introduced into said container and contained therein.

Claim 50

A photographic process as defined in claim 34 wherein another photosensitive element is exposed, withdrawn from said container and treated with processing composition subsequent to exposure and processing of the first-mentioned photosensitive element, and is then introduced into said container into a position forwardly of any photosensitive element previously introduced into said container.

Claim 51

A photographic process as defined in claim 34 wherein a processed photosensitive element is withdrawn in said second direction from said container through an opening in the opposite end thereof.

Claim 52

A photographic process as defined in claim 45 wherein the last-mentioned photosensitive element is subsequently reintroduced into said container by movement in said first direction through the last-mentioned opening.

Claim 55

A photographic method as defined in claim 47 wherein a film unit is introduced completely into said container in two steps, said film unit being moved part way into said container during said first step and being moved completely into said container during introductory movement of a succeeding film unit.

Claim 56

A photographic method as defined in claim 47 wherein a processed film unit is withdrawn from said container at the opposite end of said film assemblage.

Claim 57

A photographic method as defined in claim 49 wherein said processed film unit withdrawn from said container at said opposite end is reintroduced into said container behind any film units not previously withdrawn from said container for processing.

Claim 58

A photographic method as defined in claim 50 wherein said processed film unit withdrawn from said container is reintroduced into said container forwardly of all processed film units within said container.

Claim 59

A photographic method as defined in claim 51 wherein said film unit is introduced into said container in said second direction to the rear of all processed film units within said container.

Claim 60

A photographic method as defined in claim 47 wherein each succedding film unit is introduced in said second direction into said container forwardly of the preceding film unit.

Claim 61

A photographic method as defined in claim 47 wherein each succeeding film units is introduced in said second direction into said container rearwardly of the preceding film unit.