PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT

Abstract: A photographic film unit comprises a laminate having a sealed internal compartment (25), a port (27) extending from the compartment (25) to the exterior of the laminate, and an unexposed photographic film (11) positioned in the compartment (25), the edges of the laminate being permanently sealed together, the film (11) being exposable from the exterior of the laminate, and a latent image recorded on the film (11) being developable by a processing fluid introduced through the port (27), to form a photographic image viewable through the laminate. More specifically, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the photographic film unit can be used as a photo-identification card which is protected against tampering.

Description: PHOTOGRAPH1C FILM UNIT Technical Field The present invention relates to a photographic film unit, and more specifically to a photo-identification card comprising a plastic laminate encasing photosensitive film that can be photographically exposed and processed when totally sealed within the laminate. Background Art Identification cards take a number of commercial forms. There are two of particular interest in connection with the present invention. The first comprises a laminate, typically three layers, of an embossable polymeric material, such as a rigid vinyl. Polyvinyl chloride, or a copolymer of polyvinyl chloride and pol vinyl acetate, are typical examples. The central layers of the laminate are opaque and carry visible information, while the outer layers are transparent, may be embossed, may support a magnetic stripe, and provide security against tampering with the information carried by the central layers. Such a card can be made tamper proof by fusing the respec¬ tive layers together under suitable heat and pressure to melt the respective plastic layers together. Ultrasonic or dielectric sealers frequently are used to create a weld that cannot be broken without destroying the card. There are disadvantages to such cards, however. Ultrasonic or dielectric sealing generally require sophisticated equipment that cannot be provided easily to the numerous "on location" sites which usually assemble such cards. Unavailability of such equipment also makes it difficult to employ photographs with the cards. The other type of identification card, frequently called a photo-identification card, includes a photograph of the intended bearer encased in a plastic laminate along with other / ■ n ϋ~REΛ77* OMPl ■ R o - information. Such photo-identification cards are usually supplied in pieces which are usually assembled on location, after the photograph is taken, and by fusing the plastic panels together to discourage tampering. In the more convenient products, the photograph is of the instant-processing type, so there is minimal delay between taking the photograph and assembling the finished card. Such cards have the advantage of using an instant type of photograph, however, the "on location" assembly method does not assure the same degree of security as identification cards assembled during manufacture. This disadvantage results from the need to assemble the photo-identification card "on location" where the necessary controls and equipment as mentioned above to produce the cards is not available. Examples of cards assembled "on location" can be found in U.S. Patents 3,498,788; 3,614,839 and 3,674,622. An example of another type of photographic article is U.S. Patent 3,893,854 which relates to in situ photoprocessing. Such an element comprises a photosensitive layer disposed between two plastic members. The plastic members are bonded along opposite side edges so as to permit a gap or space above the photosensitive layer to receive processing liquids after exposure of the sensitive layer. This photographic element is not permanently sealed along at least two entire edges because it is assembled with adhesives. Furthermore, it does not deal with the problem of providing a tamper proof photo-identification card. Disclosure of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, a photographic film unit is provided that includes a photosensitive film enclosed within a permanently secured laminate, such that exposure, processing and viewing of the film can be accomplished without removing the film from the tamper proof environment of the laminate. More specifically, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, a photo- identification card is provided wherein the photo- sensitive film is carried in a compartment within the laminate, made up of one or more transparent plastic panels. An access port delivers processing fluid from the exterior of the card to the compartment, to develop the film, while a venting port releases the air from the space filled by the fluid. The film is of the self-processing, self-timing type, which requires only a single development fluid, and provides a final color picture in under ten minutes with relatively unsophisticated supporting equipment. Description of the Drawings In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a photo- identification card, in accordance with the present invention, including an unexposed film encased in a three-layer laminate having an access port for delivering processing fluid to the film. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 2-2 in Fig. 1, depicting the three- layer laminate and the compartment in which the film is received. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the photo-identification card of Fig. 1, illustrat¬ ing the respective layers of the laminate including a core spacer and two cover panels over opposed faces of the core. Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of developing apparatus suitable for use with the photo-identification card of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a photo-identification card, similar to the card of Fig. 1, but in which the film compartment is open to only one surface of the core. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the photo-identification card in Fig. 5, depicting the compartment in which the film is received. Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of an alternative device for introducing a processing fluid to the film compartment. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a photographic film unit card in which the film compartment occupies a major portion of the laminate to record a latent image developable by the processing fluid to establish a print viewable through the laminate. Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective illustration of a pack for containing a plurality of the photo- graphic film units or photo-identification cards of Fig. 8, and including a covering template for exposing information, carried by the template, onto the film. Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective illustration depicting exposure of the photo- identification card of Fig. 8 in a pack with a template as depicted in Fig. 9. Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring first to Figs. 1-3, the preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted as including a film 11, Figs. 2 and 3, a core spacer 13 and first and second covering panels 15 and 17, respectively. The film 11 comprises a piece of photo- sensitive film having first and second opposed parallel faces, 18 and 19 . Fig. 3, and an edge- perimeter 20. The chemistry of the film is not described in detail here, since it can be selected from a number of alternatives outlined, for example, in Research Disclosure No. 15,162, Volume 151, published in November of 1976. Briefly, however,- the film is a fluid-permeable structure including a plurality of photosensitive layers for recording a developable latent image and a mordant layer for receiving a dye image in accordance with development of the latent image. When an appropriate high-pH fluid composition is distributed over the structure, it permeates the respective layers, develops the latent image and releases an image-wise distribution of the dyes which migrate to the mordant layer. At the same time, the fluid hydrolizes appropriate timing layers to reduce the pH at a controlled rate, stopping the reaction. In this embodiment, the film is adapted to be exposed from one face, 18, and viewed from the opposite face 19. In other embodiments, exposure and viewing can be from the same direction. This embodiment also locates the timing and neutralizing layers on a separate supporting piece 21, superposed over the photosensitive layer, but it should be noted that other arrangements of the respective layers, not employing such a separate piece, may be desirable under certain circumstances. The core spacer 13 comprises an opaque, preferably plastic plate, which includes opposed, parallel surfaces 22 and 23 suitable for receiving printed information. The core spacer is somewhat thicker than the film, and defines a shallow compartment 25, open through both faces of the spacer core, for receiving the film. The compartment is configured to surround substantially the entire edge perimeter of the film in close proximity thereto, and permits space for the timing-layer piece and a quantity of the processing fluid over at least one face of the film. Delivery of processing fluid means is made by port 27, which provides for introducing the processing fluid from the exterior of the identification card to the interior of the film compartment. Similarly, a venting port 29, opposite the- access port, releases air displaced by the fluid. As depicted in Figs. 1-3, the ports are arranged to deliver the fluid to the exposure face 18, and the thickness of the core, relative to the film, is sufficient to receive a quantity of the fluid in a layer adequate to develop the latent image and diffuse the dyes as outlined above. Plastic panels 15 and 17 are thin and transparent sheets flexible enough to conform to the core spacer, yet sufficiently durable to protect the card from abuse. The panels are permanently laminated to prevent tampering to opposite faces of the core spacer, to seal the compartment 25, encasing the film physically therebetween while, at the same time, permitting exposure and viewing of the film. The core spacer and covering panels are formed of a durable plastic suitable for embossing, such as polymeric material. Rigid vinyls are particularly effective, including polyvinyl chloride, or a high chloride content copolymer of vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride. Semi-rigid vinyls are also suitable. These are similar to the rigid vinyls, but include suitable plasticizers. The card is fully assembled and permanently laminated at the time of manufacture with the un- exposed film enclosed. This is accomplished under the proper conditions of heat and pressure to fuse the plastic at the interfaces between the core spacer and plastic panels, fusing or welding the card together with plastic-to-plastic bonds. A dielectric welder employing radio-frequency waves can be BUR O - . V.. -7- used, for example, to excite the molecular structure of the laminate, heating the respective layers to the melting point around substantially the entire periphery of the film or over substantially the entire laminate. Care is required not to melt the whole card or- destroy the photosensitive properties of the film. Other sealing techniques may employ ultrasonic vibrators to fuse only the interfaces between the respective layers. The thickness of the respective layers should be controlled to provide a final desired thickness. With the film 11 secured to one of the cover panels 17, and the timing-layer support secured to the other cover panel 15, the final core thickness should provide a space above the photosensitive layer sufficient to accommodate the desired thickness of processing composition. At the same time, the overall dimensions of the card should conform to present commercial standards. By way of a preferred example, the core spacer is 0.050 centimeters thick, the cover panels are each 0.0125 centimeters thick, and the access and venting ports are 0.0175 centimeters thick The film and timing materials are the same as presently available commercially in Kodak PR-10 Instant-Print Film, as is the processing liquid, except the liquid is lower in viscosity, much like water. Thus assembled, the card is a durable laminate permanently encasing an unexposed or light-exposable film. The laminate surrounds substantially the entire film, except for the access and venting ports, and cannot be delaminated without destroying the -card, making attempted forgeries easily detectable. In use, the card is supplied in a light- tight package and loaded into a camera in a light protected environment. The film is exposed to the intended subject and ejected, perhaps directly from the camera, into a reservoir 31 of the processing fluid 33, as shown in Fig. 4. The access port and the film compartment are submerged in the fluid while the venting port extends thereabove. The developing fluid then flows from the reservoir, through the access port, and fills the compartment, displacing any air through the venting port. Development proceeds automatically to completion, as described above, and the card is removed to • view the final image. Thus, the film is exposed through the laminate, developed by a single solution and viewed through the laminate without ever having been removed from its protected environment. In order to facilitate processing, access and venting ports should be sufficiently large to deliver the fluid from the reservoir to the film compartment with only a slight differential in pressure therebetween. At the same time, however, once the compartment is filled, the respective ports should restrict draining of the fluid from the compartment so the card can be removed from the reservoir before processing is completed. Appropriate gelatin layers on the film 11 or piece 21 can be used to hold the fluid once it reaches the compartment. Should the card be left in the solution, and once the pressure equalizes, the ports should sufficiently isolate the compartment for the mechanism in the film to neutralize the fluid in the compartment and end the development cycle. In Figs. 5-7, an alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted, which is similar to the preferred embodiment, but includes a film 51 that is exposed and viewed from the same side. In this case, the compartment 52 is open to only one face of the core 53, and only one transparent covering panel 55 is required. The portion of this panel that covers the film is coated with transparent timing and neutralizing layers, eliminating the need for the separate supporting piece 21 employed in the preferred embodiment. Such coating should not extend over the areas where the laminate is sealed, or if. the coating extends to the edge area, it should not weaken the plastic-to-plastic bonds between the respective layers. Processing is accomplished, in a light protected environment, by injecting the single- solution developing fluid from a syringe into the access port 57. Air is released through the venting port 59. Still another embodiment is depicted in Figs. 8-10. In this case the film 101 is much larger and can cover the major portion of the integral film unit. The film is received in a compartment 102 that subtends a substantial portion of the unit. The compartment is open to both faces of the core spacer 103 and is covered by two transparent panels 105 and 106, as in the preferred embodiment. Such an enlarged film is also suitable for exposing written information onto the card as well as an image. A split-image exposure device could be used, for example, to sequentially or simultaneously expose the information and the bearer's image onto the film. Illustrated, however, is a template 110 adapted to be interposed between the subject and the film for applying the information. Fig. 9 depicts a plurality of units or cards in a film pack 111 including dark slide 113, an exposure aperture 115 and an exit slot 117. The template 110 can be aligned over the exposure aperture of the pack for photographically imprinting the information onto the cards in the pack. As depicted in Fig. 10, the pack is loaded into a suitable camera that will expose the image of a subject 121 onto a portion 123 of the film while simultaneously exposing the written information from the template onto the same or some other portion 124 of the film. The exposed card is then ejected from the camera by a picker 125, Fig. 9.and immersed in the developing fluid for processing as described above in connection with the preferred embodiment. It should now be apparent from the above description that the structure of the present invention provides significant advantages not previously available. A photo-identification card is provided that can be fully assembled at the time of manufacture with an unexposed film permanently encased in a protective laminate. The film is exposable and viewable through the laminate, is easily developed on location by a single fluid, and produces a final color print in minutes with little attention to the process by which it is produced. The final product is fused together so it cannot be delaminated without destroying the card, making any attempted forgeries obvious.

Claims: Claims: 1. A photographic film unit which comprises a laminate characterized by a sealed internal compartment, a port extending from the compartment to the exterior of the laminate, and an unexposed photographic film positioned in the compartment, the edges of the laminate being permanently sealed together, the film being exposable from the exterior of the laminate, and a latent image recorded on the film being developable by a processing fluid introduced through the port, to form a photographic image viewable through the laminate. 2. A photographic film unit according to Claim 1 wherein there is a second port extending from the compartment to the exterior of the laminate. 3. A photographic film unit according to Claim 2 wherein the sealed compartment is provided by an opening in a planar spacer which lies between two plastic layers. 4. A photographic film unit according to Claim 2 wherein at least one plastic layer is a transparent covering panel permanently fused to said planar spacer. 5- A photographic film unit according to Claim 4 wherein said film is viewable from both sides of the laminate. 6. A photographic film unit according to Claim 2 wherein a plastic layer or the planar spacer is vinyl material and has a surface adapted for carrying information. 7- A photographic identification card comprising a photographic film unit as defined in Claim 5- 8. A photographic film pack which comprises a casing which has an exposure aperture and a film exit slot, and, within the casing, a plurality of photographic film units as defined in Claim 1, ' BU E- T O_-.PI <tyτ ~ -, V,'iF0

Inventors: POSHKUS G
Applicants: EASTMAN KODAK CO
Application year: 1980
Main classification: G03C1
IPC codes: B42D15, G03C1, G03C7, G03C8