Polaroid Corporation

John E Meschter

Philip R Norris

Harry R Parsons

Kenneth C Waterman

Richard P Breen, Jr

An apparatus and method are disclosed herein for processing exposed photosensitive self-developing film in a single use camera.

Single use camera employing self-developing film and method thereof

A film assemblage of the self-developing type which has a pair of upper and lower carrier sheets in juxtaposed relationship to one another. A pair of openings is provided in each of the carrier sheets. A photosensitive sheet and a positive receiving sheet are joined to outer surfaces of the upper and lower carrier sheets; respectively, so as to cover the respective openings. The pair of upper and lower carrier sheets is fixedly joined together in overlapping relationship, whereby the photosensitive and receiving sheets are in superimposed and spaced apart relationship thereby forming, in combination, an image area of the film.

Simplified self-developing film assemblages and methods of making the same

Disclosed is a film assemblage of the self-developing type comprising a first and a second sheet in juxtaposed relationship to one another. Each of the sheets contains a plurality of exposure cut-outs at spaced apart intervals. Portions of the first and second rectangular sheets which separate individual exposure cut-outs contain a frangible line running in a direction perpendicular to the major axis of the rectangular sheet. The film assemblage further comprises a plurality of positive receiving sheets, a plurality of negative or photosensitive sheets, an elastic carrier sheet, a plurality of photographic processing fluid supply pods and a plurality of photographic processing fluid collection traps. The relationship between these elements in the film assemblage of the present invention is fully disclosed.

Self-developing film assemblages

The present invention is an improved film assemblage of the self developing type that allows separation of both the pod and trap portions of the film frame, but sealing of the ends of the separated film portions including pod, trap, and image area. The present invention also provides such a film assemblage of the foregoing type whereby further ensuring uniform flow of the processing fluid during the spreading process. A method of manufacturing said film is also provided.

Retrofitted self-developing film assemblages and methods of making the same

The present disclosure relates to several embodiments in which different self-developing film formats are constructed in order to permit easy operator separation of the pod and trap from adjacent integral film units.

Photographic film assemblages of the self-developing type having removable portions

A camera housing a strip of receiving sheet of self-developable film material; a strip of negative photosensitive film material of the self-developing type having discrete exposable portions spaced apart thereon. A pressure applying assembly e merges the strips into the superimposable relationship to form corresponding separated image forming subassemblies in response to pulling the strips from the camera. The assembly effects release of processing fluid in rupturable containers on the sheet to initiate processing of the film. A device is operative in one mode for allowing pulling of the strips and thereby the formation of an image forming subassemblies through the pressure applying device, and in a second mode for automatically stopping formation and processing of a successive one of the image forming subassemblies. In one embodiment, the device is connected to the shutter unit and is operated when the shutter is actuated.

Single use camera employing single frame film assemblages and method

An improved self-developing film unit comprising: a processing fluid supply including a rupturable reservoir of processing fluid; an image recording assembly of the self-developing type including first and second overlying layers one of which is exposable to form a latent photographic image, and a spacer connected to and between the first and second layers for providing a processing space therebetween for allowing processing fluid to pass therethrough; a fluid trap at a trailing end portion of the film unit for collecting excess processing fluid traveling through the processing space; a first fluid-tight coupling device including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling the reservoir to a leading end of the processing space for allowing processing fluid from a ruptured reservoir to be introduced into the processing space and initiate processing of the latent image; and, second fluid-tight coupling device including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling a trailing end of the processing space with the trap for allowing processing fluid to enter into the trap; the image recording assembly comprises a photosensitive layer, an image receiving layer in overlying and coextensive relationship to the photosensitive layer; the image receiving layer and the photosensitive layer being of the integral diffusion transfer type; and, the spacer comprises a pair of spaced apart and generally parallel elongated rails coextensive with and adjacent opposed marginal edges of the layers.

Photographic film assemblages and methods of making

There is disclosed an improved photographic apparatus of the self-developing type and method of operation which includes a film assemblage. The camera includes a housing assembly; strip of photographic film; a strip of self-developing photosensitive film; a foldable strip of carrier sheet material; a mechanism for taking up the photosensitive film strip past an exposure station for exposure thereof and for storage of the exposed photosensitive film strip. An advancing mechanism is provided for advancing the exposed photosensitive film strip from the taking up mechanism and the carrier strip through an exit. Provision is made for a mechanism which is operable for dispensing processing fluid between the exposed film strip and the sheet; and, a pressure applying mechanism is operable for superimposing the photosensitive film relative to the carrier sheet following dispensing of the fluid between the film and sheet for distributing the fluid over preselected portions of the exposed photosensitive film to form an integral photographic film strip in response to the advancing mechanism withdrawing the strip and the sheet through the pressure applying mechanism and the exit.

An improved self-developing film unit comprising: processing fluid supply means including a rupturable reservoir of processing fluid at a leading end portion of the unit; image recording means of the self-developing type including first and second overlying layers one of which is exposable to form a latent photographic image, and spacer means connected to and between said first and second layers for providing a processing space therebetween for allowing processing fluid to pass therethrough; fluid trap means at a trailing end portion of the film unit for collecting excess processing fluid traveling through said processing space; first fluid-tight coupling means including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling said reservoir to a leading end of said processing space for allowing processing fluid from a ruptured reservoir to be introduced into said processing space and initiate processing of the latent image; and, second fluid-tight coupling means including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling a trailing end of said processing space with said trap means for allowing processing fluid to enter into said trap means; said first coupling means having one end portion sealably secured to an exterior surface of said reservoir and a second end portion sealably secured to an exterior surface of a leading end portion of said image recording means; and, said second coupling means having an end portion sealably secured to and about the trailing end portion of said image recording means and an opposite end portion sealably secured to an exterior surface of said trap means.

Growing community of inventors

Stow, MA, United States of America

John E Meschter