Polaroid Corporation

Joseph A Stella

John B Morse

Frank M Czumak

Paul B Mason

Joseph H Wright

Joseph B Wright

Alfred E Corrigan

Bernard W Ruck

J Winthrop Aldrich

Frank W Knight

Edward K Bullock

A photographic apparatus for providing an instant film system for transmission electron microscopes includes a film carrier and film unit handling apparatus compatable with existing TEM equipment. Film carrier plates, each standardized to accept an instant film sheet and to subsequently enable automatic separation of the latter, are varied in exterior configuration to conform to each type of TEM unit, and a single processor is provided for handling film processing with carrier plates utilized in any of the TEM units. The carrier plates are standardized to enable automated separation of individual exposed film sheets from the respective carrier plates in the processor, and a transfer base or transfer box is provided to cooperate with the receiver box of a given TEM design and with the processor which includes a reciprocating slide feed mechanism by which each individual film unit is ejected from the box. The processor then separates the film sheet from the carrier plate, assembles it with processing materials and advances it to the nip of a processing roller pair.

Photographic apparatus for transmission electron microscopes

Film handling apparatus

A wet film cassette and transport system for photographic diffusion transfer films having initially separate wet and dry film components. At least the wet component is contained in a tightly sealed enclosure defined by a cassette having inner and outer, relatively rotatable receptacles. Each of the receptacles is provided with a peripheral axially oriented slot, a leading end portion of the wet film projecting at all times through the slot of the inner receptacle but being capable of retraction into an annulus between the inner and outer receptacles by relative rotation of the two receptacles. Retracting movement of the inner receptacle moves a sealing pad carried thereon to a position closing the slot opening of the outer receptacle. When the pad is moved from the slot of the outer receptacle by rotation of the inner receptacle, the leading end portion of the wet film projects through both openings to the nip of a processing roller pair at which the wet film component is brought into face-to-face contact with an exposed dry or negative film component. Cut-off means are provided between the wet film cassette and the processing roller pair whereas image frame lengths of the dry component are separated from the supply thereof independently of the wet film cut-off mechanism. Alternatively, the dry film may be separated through the provision of transverse tear strips in the negative film component or by a separate cut-off mechanism.

Wet film cassette and transport system

Film advancing apparatus for moving a thin, planar, resilient film unit at least partially from a film cassette. The apparatus includes a member for applying a force to one end of the film unit while simultaneously blocking its movement through an egress in the film cassette, thus causing the film unit to assume a flexed stressed configuration. When the egress is unblocked, the resiliency of the film unit provides a force for moving an opposite end of the film unit out of the film cassette via the egress as it assumes its original planar configuration.

Film advancing apparatus

Apparatus having a first chamber, for receiving a film cassette containing a plurality of film units of the instant type, and a second chamber, into which the film units are adapted to be sequentially advanced subsequent to their photographic exposure. The second chamber includes a film counter mounted in lighttight relation therewith for indicating the number of exposed film units contained within the second chamber.

Film counter

Apparatus for processing a roll of self-developing type film. The film and a length of flexible sheet material are unwound from their respective spools and laminated to each other with a layer of processing liquid located therebetween prior to being wound as a laminate upon a rotating drum. After the formation of a visible image within the film, a drive train is energized to drive the spools in a direction which unwinds the laminate from the drum and simultaneously rewinds the film and sheet material upon their spools. The drive train is continuously connected to the drives for the spools and includes a clutch arrangement which insures that the rotation of the drum in an unwinding direction is under the control of the sheet material drive while the torque delivered to the film drive keeps the film taut without becoming the dominant force in rotating the drum.

Film processor

An applicator for applying a photographic processing composition to a length of sheet material. The applicator includes a reservoir for containing a supply of photographic processing composition in a substantially non-oxidative environment, and an elongate member mounted for axial movement for transferring a predetermined quantity of the processing composition from the reservoir to the exterior of the applicator whereat the processing composition is applied as a coating to the sheet material.

Photographic processing composition applicator

There is disclosed a photographic apparatus of the instant developing type which permits exposing, processing and viewing of the film without the necessity of removing the film from the camera. Included is a film disk containing a plurality of film assemblies, each including a strippable negative sheet which is removed from the film assembly at a viewing station for facilitating viewing of the positive image transparency at such viewing station.

Disk camera having disk carrying peel-apart film units

Apparatus, e.g., a camera back, for locating a film cassette containing a plurality of individual, pre-mounted transparency film frames of the self-developing type in position for exposure. The apparatus includes a lighttight chamber into which the film frames are moved subsequent to their exposure. After the exposure of one or more of the film frames, the apparatus may be coupled to a film processor wherein the exposed film frames are individually removed from the lighttight chamber, processed, and delivered to the operator. The apparatus also includes a film advancing member which automatically removes a dark slide from the film cassette as it is being loaded into the apparatus.

Camera back

A pocket-size still camera of the self-developing type includes a film chamber with a rotatable platform supporting a self-developing film unit for rotation. A stepping motor is provided for rotating the platform and film unit in incremental steps to permit successive sections of the film unit to be exposed. An exit slot is provided in the film chamber to allow discharge of the exposed film unit through a pair of processing rollers. An embibing chamber is located adjacent the exit slot so as to receive the film unit for the appropriate embibition time.

Disk camera using single format film unit having multiple images

Dual web sound movie cassette with emulsion stripping web

An applicator is provided for depositing a coating of processing fluid on a moving run of photographic film strip which includes a single fluid reservoir having an opening in an exterior surface through which processing fluid may pass. A nozzle plate is provided also having a fluid opening therein and a reservoir facing surface which is configured to be urged toward the reservoir exterior surface and to sealingly engage and to cooperate with the reservoir surface so that fluid may flow through the nozzle plate opening when the plate and reservoir are in such confronting relation. A tear tab is initially interposed between the reservoir and the nozzle plate in sealing engagement around the opening in the reservoir exterior surface so that it initially seals processing fluid in the reservoir. Removal of the tear tab from the reservoir results in release of the fluid contained therein. The reservoir housing is provided with means for supporting the nozzle plate in an aligned spaced relationship with respect to the reservoir exterior surface with the tear tab lying therebetween. The reservoir nozzle plate and tear tab may be assembled in a modular fashion with the processing fluid initially sealed therein such that the modular fluid applicator may be readily installed in a processing station in a multipurpose film cassette.

Multipurpose film handling cassette having a modular film processor

Photographic apparatus including a miniature camera for exposing, processing and viewing small format positive image transparencies. A film cassette carries a plurality of film units of a type in which each unit includes a self-contained pod of processing fluid. After exposure of a given film unit, that unit is moved from an exposure position, past a spreader bar to spread processing fluid over the exposed area of the film unit and to a viewing position in which the processed film unit is presented in a camera window through which it may be examined by light passing through the camera window and the film unit.

Disc camera

An arrangement is provided for reducing the force imparted at the junction between the pull strip and the film strip in a multipurpose film cassette wherein the pull strip is employed to remove a tear tab closure initially sealing a supply of processing fluid. The pull strip is formed with a free end portion adapted to engage a tactile discontinuity in the film strip upon winding of the film strip upon a film spool. The pull strip is provided with a strip of high friction material which, upon continued advancement of the film strip, engages the surface of the outermost convolution of film strip advancing to the reel and which, upon such engagement with the film strip, cooperates with it to resist at least a portion of the force imparted through the pull strip during removal of the tear tab closure, thereby reducing the force imparted to the junction between the pull strip and the film strip.

Growing community of inventors

Peabody, MA, United States of America

Joseph A Stella