Patent GB-1159743-A (GB)
Title: Fully Automated Process Camera.
Inventor: ATKINSON EDWARD ROBERT
IPC: G03B17/50
Filed: 1967-08-14
Abstract: 1,159,743. Automatic photographic apparatus. E.R. ATKINSON. Aug.14, 1967, No.37196/67. Heading G2A. In a process camera, the light received on the focal plane from an illuminated original is brought to a predetermined constant value, after which the sensitive film is positioned in the focal plane and a fixed-period exposure made, the film then being passed into a processing station, these operations all being controlled automatically. In the form shown, the original 52 is fixed to a copy board 50 mounted on a wheeled carriage 46. Also mounted on the carriage, in fixed relation to the original, are lamps 44, regulated so as to form a constant temperature and constant intensity light source. Light reflected from the original passes through a lens system housed in two separate coaxial cylinders 24, 34, to fall on the focal plane, indicated generally at 32 and formed as a vacuum frame having front and rear plates 66, 68 between which the sensitive film can be located. The vacuum frame assembly is mounted on a second wheeled carriage 62. Cylinder 24 carries lenses 26, and, at one end, a lens and shutter assembly 29, 31. Cylinder 24 is also attached by a bellows to the frame 32. Cylinder 34, which carries a further focusing lens or lenses 30, can be rotated by a gear and pinion 36, 38. Both cylinders carry discs, respectively 40 and 42, of polarizing material, so that as cylinder 34 is rotated with respect to cylinder 24 the intensity of the light transmitted through the combined discs will vary according to the relative angular position. A photo-cell 54, at the end of an arm 56, can be rotated into or out of the light path by gears 58, 60 controlled by drive means 65. The sensitive film 72 is unrolled from a supply reel 74, and the required length severed by cutters 82. Similarly a half-tone screen 78, if required, can be unrolled into position from a supply reel 80. The whole sequence of operations can be controlled automatically from a central panel 16. The buttons 1-9 in the upper three rows set the corresponding reproduction ratio (10%-90%), as an enlargement or reduction (button E or R), by actuating movement of carriages 62 and 46 into the appropriate positions relative to the lens assembly, at the same time suitably setting the aperture 31. When these have been set, the photo-cell is automatically actuated to move into the light path, to measure the light intensity, since the intensity falling on the focal plane at 32 should be constant for photo-reproductions of constant size. If the light received by the cell varies from the required value, a signal is sent to the power means 126 acting to rotate gear 36 and hence cylinder 34. Thus the polarizing element 42 is rotated with respect to the element 40 until the required value is obtained. A signal is now sent to the control centre 16 to initiate a further sequence of operations. The shutter 29, which has so far been open, closes, and reel 74 set in rotation to wind down and cut off a suitable length of film to be positioned between the plates 66, 68. If required, by pressing button S, the half-tone screen 78 is also unreeled into position. The photo-cell 54 moves out of the light path, and a signal causes the shutter to open for the fixed exposure period. A further signal then actuates carriage 62 to move to the left, until the exposed film sheet is released to fall between guides 84 and rollers 86 into a processing section 10. The sheet is now progressed automatically by spaced driving belts through successive tanks containing liquids 90 for developing, 96 for fixing, and 102 for washing. The sheet then passes through a drying chamber 106, and is finally discharged out of the apparatus on to a receiver 108.