Method of and apparatus for lighttight transferring of film

There is provided an apparatus for use in shuttling a film container housing a photosensitive film unit between an image recording apparatus and a film processor. When the shuttle is in operative relationship within the image recording apparatus, the film unit is exposable and when the shuttle is being transferred it is done so in a lighttight manner. The shuttle includes a portable lighttight housing assembly for removably receiving the film container. The housing assembly includes an exposure aperture registerable with a film container exposing aperture, such as occurs when the film container is received within the shuttle. For selectively blocking the image forming light there is provided a blocking means which is coupled to the housing assembly and is operable with a control means for automatically changing conditions between its light blocking and unblocking states.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
The present application relates to U.S. patent application; Ser. No. 
08/302,603, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,471, entitled "METHOD OF AND APATUS 
FOR TRANSFERRING FILM" filed on Sep. 8, 1994; and, copending U.S. patent 
application; Ser. No. 08/312,420 entitled "CASSETTE FOR ENCLOSING A 
PLURALITY OF NEGATIVE FILM UNITS", filed on Sep. 26, 1994; and, Ser. No. 
08/302,220, entitled "CAMERA BACK ADAPTER AND METHOD" filed Sep. 8, 1994. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for 
transferring photographic film. More particularly, it relates to providing 
a film carrying mechanism in a manner that minimizes light leakage to the 
film. 
Heretofore, a wide variety of approaches have been proposed in the 
photographic arts for storing and transferring film in a lighttight 
manner. This invention is directed to an improved shuttle mechanism of the 
type noted in the above-noted patent application for use in shuttling a 
film container including a housing exposure opening and at least a film 
unit between an image recording apparatus and a film processor. Basically, 
the shuttle includes a portable lighttight housing assembly having an 
exposure aperture registerable with the exposure opening of the container. 
For selectively blocking passage of the image forming light through the 
registered opening and aperture to the film, the shuttle includes a 
blocking assembly operable automatically for changing the latter's 
conditions between light blocking and unblocking conditions. The light 
blocking assembly comprises a flexible and opaque shutter which is itself 
provided with at least a shutter aperture for allowing desired exposure of 
the film when the shutter aperture is registerable with the registered 
opening and aperture of the film container and shuttle. While such a 
shutter curtain provides for the necessary lighttight functions when the 
shutter is in use or in non-use, there is a continuing desire to improve 
upon the manner in which the film is protected against light leakage. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for use 
in shuttling a film container housing a photosensitive film unit between 
an image recording apparatus and a film processor. When the shuttle is in 
operative relationship within the image recording apparatus, the film unit 
is exposable and when the shuttle is being transferred it is done so in a 
lighttight manner. The shuttle includes a portable lighttight housing 
assembly for removably receiving the film container. Such a housing 
assembly includes an exposure aperture registerable with a film container 
exposing aperture, such as occurs when the film container is received 
within the shuttle. For selectively blocking the image forming light there 
is provided a blocking means which is coupled to the housing assembly and 
is operable with a control means for automatically changing conditions 
between its light blocking and unblocking. 
The light blocking assembly comprises a shutter assembly including a pair 
of flexible and opaque shutters which are themselves provided with at 
least one aligned shutter aperture. The shutters are movable together 
between a supply roller assembly and a takeup roller assembly mounted in 
the shuttle housing. The shutter curtains are automatically movable when 
the shutter assembly is actuated for selectively allowing image bearing 
light to expose the film unit. In this regard, the shutter apertures are 
positionable in light passing relationship, when the blocking assembly is 
in the light unblocking condition. The shutter apertures are not in light 
passing relationship when the blocking assembly is in either the first or 
second light blocking conditions, such as when shuttle assembly is being 
transferred. A pair of light baffles is interposed between the pair of 
shutters in a manner so that each baffle is interposed along one of the 
longitudinal edge portions of the shutters for a distance which exceeds 
the length of the shuttle housing and container apertures to thereby form 
labyrinth passages for light so as to reduce light leakage. 
In another illustrated embodiment, provision is made for having a pair of 
spaced shutter panels in superimposed relationship to each other whereby 
the shutters are joined together adjacent their longitudinal edges so as 
to form longitudinally extending grooves. A pair of light baffles is 
provided, wherein each one is slidably interposed within a respective 
groove so as to form labyrinth passages which enhance the lightight 
performance of the shutter. 
In other embodiments, there is provided a method of enhancing the 
lighttight features of a shuttle for shuttling film housed in a film 
container between an image recording apparatus and a processor for 
processing the film. 
Among the other objects and further scope of applicability of the present 
invention are the provision of an apparatus and method which reliably 
shuttle, in a lighttight manner, film contained in a container from an 
image recording device to a processor; and, the provisions of an apparatus 
and method which are simple and reliable in operation. 
These and other objects and features and the invention itself will become 
apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the 
accompanying drawings wherein like structure throughout the several views 
are indicated by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Reference is made to FIGS. 1-10 for illustrating one preferred embodiment 
of a portable, film transporting or shuttle assembly 20. The shuttle 
assembly is like that described in connection with copending and commonly 
assigned patent application Ser. No. 08/302,603 which is incorporated 
herein as a part hereof. Therefore, only those parts of the shuttle 
necessary for understanding the present invention will be set forth 
herein. 
Basically, the shuttle assembly 20 removably receives a negative film 
cassette 22 of the type containing a stack of negative photographic film 
units 24 of the self-developing, peel-apart type. The negative cassette 22 
is similar to that described in the aforenoted U.S. patent application 
entitled "CASSETTE FOR ENCLOSING A PLURALITY OF NEGATIVE FILM UNITS" and 
is incorporated herein. The shuttle assembly 20 serves to store and 
shuttle the film cassette 22 in a lighttight manner between a camera back 
adapter 26 and a separate film processor 30. The shuttle assembly 20 is 
also constructed to permit sequential film exposure, and to allow the 
processor to remove each unit, after each exposure, for processing of the 
same. 
In this embodiment, the film unit 24 is a negative sheet assembly like that 
described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,292,612; and 5,327,187. 
The negative assembly includes a pocket device (not shown) which is 
adapted to receive a force transmitting device or pick which will enable 
the film unit to be advanced from the cassette. The negative film assembly 
cooperates with a positive sheet assembly (not shown) which positive sheet 
assembly has an image-receiving layer thereon. The descriptions of both of 
these patents are incorporated herein by reference. It will be appreciated 
that this invention envisions that other kinds of photosensitive film 
units, preferably of the self-developing type, can be used. 
The camera back adapter 26 is like that described and claimed in 
commonly-assigned and copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 
08/302,220 entitled "CAMERA BACK ADAPTER AND METHOD," filed on Sep. 8, 
1994. The camera 28 is a miniportrait camera of the self-developing type 
which exposes a negative film unit of a peel-apart film assemblage. The 
camera 28 is commercially available from Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, 
Massachusetts, USA. Both the adapter and the camera operate as image 
recording apparatus. While the present embodiment discloses a photographic 
camera, it will be appreciated that the present invention can be used with 
an electronic display screen for providing the images. The processing 
generally performed by the processor 30 is similar to that described in 
the aforenoted U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,292,617; 5,327,187; wherein the negative 
sheet assembly is joined to a positive sheet assembly (not shown) in an 
automatic peel-apart film processor for initiating film processing, 
whereby the positive and negative are subsequently peeled apart, and the 
positive sheet reveals a fully developed positive image. Neither the film 
cassette 22, film unit 24, camera back adapter 26, camera 28, nor the 
processor 30, per se, form aspects of the presently claimed invention. 
However, only those details thereof which are necessary for understanding 
this invention will be described. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 & 4-6, the shuttle assembly 20 comprises a 
portable and clamshell-like housing assembly 32 that is operable between 
an open or negative cassette insertion and removal condition; and a 
closed, lighttight or cassette carrying condition. In this regard, the 
shuttle housing assembly 32 includes a front cover 34 that is hingedly 
connected by pivot pins (not shown) to a back cover 36 for movement 
thereof between the noted open and closed conditions. 
The portable housing assembly 32 is constructed for facilitating convenient 
user handling and transporting. In this regard, the front and back covers 
34, 36 are each made of a one-piece molded plastic construction, which 
when in the closed condition are constructed to have a lighttight 
relationship with each other for assisting in protecting the topmost 
negative film unit housed in the cassette 22. The front cover 34 includes 
a front panel 38 having a pair of laterally spaced apart sidewalls 40 and 
integral therewith upstanding top and bottom walls 42, 44; respectively. A 
generally rectangular exposure aperture 46 in the front panel 38, is 
dimensioned to permit desired exposure of an image receiving area 48 (FIG. 
5) on a negative film unit 24. The image area 48 is juxtaposed an exposure 
opening 50 of the negative cassette 22 so that it can be in registry with 
the shuttle's exposure aperture 46 when the cassette is properly located. 
The front panel 38 is formed with a pair of laterally spaced apart pick 
slots 52, each of which has a generally rectangular configuration and 
extends axially. Contiguous with the terminal portion of the pick slots 52 
is a transversely extending exit slot 54 which allows each film unit to be 
ejected therethrough in response to a force transmitting or picking action 
by processor pick 56 (FIG. 6) of the processor 30. The pick 56 is 
reciprocated along a generally vertical path by a pick drive mechanism 
motor 57 (FIG. 3) located in the processor 30. The pick when operated is 
driven to selectively drive the film unit 24 downwardly through the slot 
54 after it has emerged from a corresponding film egress (not shown) in 
the cassette 22. In this regard, the pick 56 passes through the pick slots 
52 and corresponding pick slots 59 (FIG. 5) in the cassette, as it travels 
downwardly to engage a pocket 24b on the film unit. Such picking continues 
until the negative has emerged from both the container and the shuttle 
housing, whereby the negative and the positive sheet assemblies are joined 
together; in a manner similar to that described in the last-noted patents. 
As will be described subsequently, for the film to be ejected, the shuttle 
blocking means must be operated to accommodate such withdrawal. After 
completion of the picking as sensed by sensors, the motor 57 is operated 
to drive the pick 56 upwardly to its start position for another picking 
operation. Such picking does not, per se, form an aspect of the present 
invention. 
Continued reference is made to FIGS. 2 & 4-6, wherein the top portion of 
the housing assembly is shown to be laterally offset with respect to a 
plane containing the front panel 38 for facilitating easy grasping and 
transporting of the housing by an operator. The front cover 34 has a 
locking bail 58 pivotally attached thereto for cooperating with surfaces 
on the back cover 36 to thereby secure the covers together in their closed 
orientation. 
Reference is made back to FIG. 2 wherein there is illustrated a generally 
rectilinear main frame member 60. The frame member is attached at its 
opposite longitudinal ends to the front cover 34. The frame 60 includes a 
rectangular central body 62 with an exposure aperture 64 formed therein. 
The exposure aperture 64 is adapted to be in registry with the exposure 
aperture 46 as well as the exposure opening 50 when the cassette is 
properly inserted in the shuttle. The central body 62 includes in its 
bottom portion a pair of spaced apart and parallel pick slots 66, each of 
which is in registration with a corresponding one of the pick slots 52 and 
with slots (not shown) of the cassette. This registration allows for the 
processing picks to pick the film unit pocket and advance each successive 
exposed topmost film unit from the cassette 22 and the shuttle assembly 
20. In this regard, a transversely extending film unit exit slot 68 is 
beneath and contiguous with the pick slots 66 and sized for allowing a 
picked film unit to pass therethrough and the slot 54 formed in the 
housing assembly. Formed on the central body 62 are pairs of parallel and 
spaced apart upper and lower retainer plates 70, 72; respectively, which 
extend laterally in the opposite direction from each other. A pair of 
spaced apart and transversely oriented protrusions 74 are formed 
integrally on the central body 62. One protrusion 74 is above the aperture 
64 while the other is below for slidably cooperating with an automatic 
blocking or dark slide assembly 76 for enhancing the lighttight features 
provided by the blocking assembly. The body 62 provides a pair of datum 
openings 78 for allowing datum surfaces (not shown) on the front cover 34 
to protrude therethrough for contacting the cassette 22 and properly 
locating the latter. Also, the body 62 has a pair of track members 82, 
each on a lateral edge thereof and extending in the same direction away 
from the aperture 64. Each of the track members 82 includes an axially 
extending slot 84 for cooperation with a linkage assembly as will be 
described. A group of photodetector openings 86, 88, 89 (FIG. 10) are 
provided in the main frame assembly and are operable, in a manner to be 
described, for indicating the operational condition of the blocking 
assembly. In this embodiment, the openings are adapted to be in alignment 
with corresponding openings 86a, 88a, 89a formed in the front and back 
covers. In addition, the cassette is formed with an opening (not shown) 
which cooperates with one of the noted photodetector openings as will be 
described. These photodetector openings allow photodetector beams (not 
shown) of suitable photodetector devices (not shown) within the processor 
to be transmitted therethrough in order to selectively cooperate with the 
blocking means for indicating the operational condition of the latter in a 
manner to be described as well as to indicate whether the cassette is out 
of negative film. 
Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 & 7 A-D for illustrating several 
operational conditions of the automatic blocking or dark slide assembly 76 
which is under the control an escapement mechanism 96 which is described 
in detail in the noted copending application Ser. No. 08/302,603. Since 
the escapement mechanism does not form part of the present invention, per 
se, only those details thereof necessary to understand the present 
invention will be set forth. The blocking assembly 76 is mounted on the 
main frame assembly 60 intermediate a topmost film unit (not shown) and 
the cover's exposure aperture 46. Basically, the blocking assembly 76 is 
operable to sequentially block, unblock, and reblock apertures 
corresponding with the image receiving area of the film unit in order to 
control exposure of the latter. The blocking assembly is also actuatable 
in the processor 30 to a move to at least a partially unblocked position 
(FIG. 7D) for allowing a pick of the processor to not only pick the film 
pocket but to eject the film unit through the noted film exit slots. 
The blocking assembly 76 is also actuatable in the processor in a manner to 
be described so as to facilitate a return or recocking thereof to its 
original or first blocking condition. It will be appreciated that the 
present invention utilizes the indexing or escapement mechanism 96 of the 
last-noted application to drive the shutters on the roller assemblies. In 
this manner, the blocking assembly is ready for refiring thereof. 
As seen in FIGS. 7A-D & 8 the blocking assembly 76 basically includes a 
pair of shutter assemblies or shutter curtains 90, 90'; supply and takeup 
roller assemblies 92, 94; respectively, attached to opposite longitudinal 
ends of the shutters; an escapement mechanism 96 which permits rapid and 
precise indexing of the blocking assembly; and light baffles 98 
cooperating with the pair of shutter assemblies. 
Reference is made now to FIGS. 7 A-D & 8 for illustrating the pair of 
shutter assemblies 90, 90'. In this embodiment, it is made of a thin, 
opaque, flexible, and lightweight material which possesses a 
low-coefficient of friction and is durable. Also, the shutter material 
should, preferably, be chemically non-reactive with the film units. In a 
preferred embodiment, the shutter assemblies 90, 90' are made a polymeric 
material, such as TEDLAR.TM., which is commercially available from E. I. 
Dupont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Delaware, USA. Other similar 
materials, can, of course, be utilized. As seen in FIG. 8, each of the 
shutter assemblies 90, 90' has a generally rectangular configuration and 
is provided with central exposure apertures 98, 98' and a plurality of 
aligned attachment openings 100, 100' at each longitudinal end which 
secures the shutters to the respective supply and takeup roll assemblies 
92 and 94. The widths of each of the shutter assemblies 90, 90' is wider 
than the film unit being exposed, the exposure opening and the frame's 
exit slot so as to assist in maintaining a lighttight condition of the 
topmost unit in the cassette. The apertures 98, 98' are sized and shaped 
for allowing exposure of the film unit present at the cassette aperture 50 
when the shutters are in their open or unblocking condition (FIG. 7C). The 
exposure apertures 98, 98' can also be moved to a partially open condition 
such as shown in FIG. 7D for allowing picking of a film unit 24 when the 
shuttle is in the processor 30 and it is desired to eject or pick the 
exposed film unit. 
With continued reference to FIGS. 8 and 7A-D, it is noted that one of the 
shutter assembly 90 has indicia 102 and 104 on opposite sides of the 
aperture 98. In this regard, the indicia 102 can be observed through the 
aperture openings 46, 50, 64 when the shutter 90 is in a preexposure or 
camera ready condition, while the indicia 104 can be observed following 
exposure, indicating that the blocking assembly has been fully fired and 
the exposed film can be processed. Accordingly, an operator will be able 
to immediately determine the condition of the film unit in the shuttle 
assembly 20 so as to avoid improper handling. The marginal edges of both 
the shutters 90, 90' are provided with encoding apertures 106a, 106a'; 
106b, 106b'; and 106c, 106c'. The encoding apertures selectively cooperate 
with sensing beams (not shown) and the photodetector openings to indicate 
to the processor the various operative conditions of the shutters 90 and 
their exposure aperture. For instance, the apertures 106a, 106a' are 
alignable with corresponding openings 86 in the frame and the covers for 
allowing a photodetector beam to travel therethrough for indicating to the 
processor that the shutter is in the fully recocked position (FIG. 4A). 
The apertures 106b, 106b' are simultaneously alignable with openings 86, 
86a; 89, 89a for indicating that the apertures 98, 98' are in its 
partially opened picking mode, see FIG. 7D. The apertures 106c, 106c' are 
alignable with the openings 89, 89a for indicating that the shutter has 
fired, see FIG. 7B. The opening 88a is alignable with the opening in the 
frame 89 and a corresponding cassette opening (not shown) for indicating 
the fact that the negative cassette is out of film. As viewed in FIG. 8, a 
pair of stiffeners 108 are attached to each of the shutter shutters 90, 
90' at opposite ends adjacent the respective apertures 98, 98' for 
preventing possible tearing of the shutters or hanging of the shutters as 
the latter moves relative to the main frame assembly 60. 
It will be appreciated that the openings 98', 106' a,b,c of the second 
shutter 90' are slightly larger than their counterpart openings of the 
first shutter 90 so as to ensure the respective openings remain in 
coincidence so that one of the openings do not occlude the openings of the 
juxtaposed shutter 90' as might otherwise occur during travel between the 
noted blocking and unblocking conditions. 
As best shown in FIGS. 7 A-D there is provided a pair of elongated light 
baffles 200, 202 which cooperate with the shutters 90, 90'. Each light 
baffle 200, 202 is, preferably, a strip of Tedlar.TM. which is opaque and 
has a relatively low coefficient of friction. These baffles have distal 
longitudinal edges which are interposed between the shutters 90, 90'. The 
opposite edges of the light baffles are adhesively bonded to the frame 60. 
The baffles extend beyond the extent of the frame aperture 64. Because the 
baffles are interposed between the shutters they tend to form additional 
passages for the light to travel and thereby minimize the ability of light 
to pass to the film unit. The low coefficient of friction is necessary so 
as to not inhibit the movement of the shutters. 
Reference is now made to FIGS. 2, 7 A-D, 9 & 10 for illustrating one 
preferred embodiment of an escapement mechanism 96 for use in controlling 
the advancement of the blocking assembly. The escapement mechanism 96 
essentially includes a meter gear 138, a spring-biased escapement plate 
140, and an escapement biasing spring 142. The meter gear 138 is rotatably 
mounted on the retainer plate 72, and its teeth meshingly engage the 
pinion gear 120. Consequently, as the supply roll assembly rotates the 
meter gear 138 rotates. The meter gear 138 may include a pair of first and 
second stop protrusions 144, 146 (FIGS. 7 A-D) and control the rotational 
indexing movement of the gear in one direction of rotation into 
180.degree. rotational segments. In this regard, the stops 144, 146 
cooperate alternatively with an internal stop shoulder 148 formed 
integrally on the escapement plate. The back cover is formed with an 
opening 150 (FIG. 2) which permits a recocking mechanism to engage the 
meter gear and rotate the same in the opposite direction. Such a reversal 
drives the blocking assembly back to the first blocking condition from the 
second blocking condition; whereby the shuttle is ready for another 
exposure. 
As viewed in FIGS. 10 and 11, the escapement plate 140 includes a pair of 
spaced elongated slots 154 for sliding reciprocation relative to 
corresponding retaining rivets 156 on the retainer plate which secure the 
escapement plate for sliding movement between locking and unlocking 
positions. Also, included is a hook portion 158, and a central opening 160 
defined by two offset hemispherical portions 162a, 162b which define the 
radial stop shoulder 148. A radial projection 163 extends towards the 
center of the opening 160 and is sized and positioned so as to slow the 
speed of the meter gear 138, such that either one of the stops will more 
reliably engage the radial stop shoulder 148. One end of the escapement 
spring 142 is fastened to the hook 158 and the other end is fastened to a 
hook 164, whereby the plate 140 is biased toward the body portion 60 and 
its locking position. As a result, the stop shoulder 148 thereby prevents 
rotation of the supply roller assembly. 
A rounded cam engaging protrusion 166 is formed on the escapement plate and 
is aligned with an opening 168 in the back cover so as to be activated by 
an adapter firing cam FC which is located in the camera adapter, such as 
described in the noted copending application entitled "CAMERA BACK ADAPTER 
AND METHOD". 
When the cam protrusion 166 is displaced inwardly by the adapter's firing 
cam, such as when the shuttle is inserted into or removed from the 
adapter, the stop shoulder 148 is displaced rightwardly, as viewed in FIG. 
10 to free the supply roller assembly for rotation by reason of the stored 
energy of the takeup roll assembly. Accordingly, the shutter unwinds from 
the supply roller assembly and the extent of the shutter payout is limited 
by the escapement mechanism 96. Rotation of the meter gear continues until 
its stop 146 travels about 180.degree. and engages the stop shoulder 148. 
This stopping action occurs because the stop shoulder 148, under the 
influence of the spring 142, returns to its original stopping or locking 
position, such as after the cam 166 no longer engages the adapter's firing 
cam FC during continued insertion movement of the shuttle into the 
adapter. The shutters are thus indexed from their first blocking condition 
to their unblocking condition, whereby the apertures are displaced so that 
they are precisely in registration with the aligned exposure apertures. 
Following exposure by the camera, an operator can remove the shuttle from 
the adapter. In the process of so doing, the cam protrusion 166 is 
reengaged by the adapter's firing cam FC during movement of the shuttle 
out of the adapter. This withdrawal has the effect of moving the stop 
shoulder 148 out of engagement with the stop 146. Thus, the meter gear 138 
is free to rotate with the supply roller assembly under the influence of 
the stored energy of the takeup roller. Such rotation continues until the 
stop 144 rotates 180 degrees; whereupon it reengages the stop shoulder 
148. In this regard, the stop shoulder 148 moves back to its locking 
position, whereby it is engaged by the stop, after the cam 166 clears the 
adapter's firing cam. As a result of the foregoing, the shutter 90 has 
been indexed from the noted unblocking condition (FIG. 7C) to its second 
blocking or fully fired condition (FIG. 7B). In this latter condition, the 
exposure apertures 98, 98' are out of alignment with the noted cassette 
and shuttle apertures for terminating or preventing exposure. Thus, the 
blocking assembly is controlled by the escapement mechanism 96, whereby 
the former is indexed automatically from its first blocking condition to 
its unblocking condition and next to its second blocking condition for 
completion of the exposure cycle. 
Reference is made to FIG. 12 for illustrating another embodiment of the 
present invention. The shutters 90, 90' are joined along their 
longitudinal edges as shown so as to create flaps 91, 91'. The flaps 91, 
91' define grooves 204 which extend along a significant portion of the 
longitudinal extent of the shutters 90, 90a and are adapted to accommodate 
a strip 200. The strips are guided by the grooves and provide the 
additional passageways for light to travel so as to minimize the 
likelihood of light leaking to the film. While this embodiment shows the 
use of a pair of shutters which are joined at their edges, this invention 
envisions a single shutter having a pair of flaps extending along the 
longitudinal edges. 
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without 
departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present 
embodiments, are therefore, to be considered in all respects as 
illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention being 
indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description 
and all changes which come within the meaning of the range of equivalency 
of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.