Patent GB-1402628-A (GB)
Title: Photographic film unit
IPC: G03C8/44
Filed: 1972-09-07
Abstract: 1402628 Self-processing film units EASTMAN KODAK CO 7 Sept 1972 [7 Sept 1971 (10)] 41562/72 Heading G2X A film unit having an image-recording portion with a front viewing surface has a reservoir containing fluent processing material, which reservoir is flexibly coupled to the recording portion, at an edge thereof, so that it may be folded round against the back of the said portion. As shown in Figs.2 and 3, a self-processing film unit 3 comprises a photo-sensitive element 11 and a process sheet 13, between which is spread the processing material from a rupturable container 7. Superfluous material is collected in a trap 9. The unit is exposed from above, as shown, and viewed from below. Both container 7 and trap 9 are mounted on carriers 27, 37 of relatively stiff paper or cardboard, the carriers being flexibly coupled to the structure 11, 13. In this case the couplings are formed at one end by the funnel structure 25 for directing the processing material between the sheets, and at the other end by the sheet 39 forming the trap. For the exposing and processing steps, the three sections of the unit are all coplanar, as in Fig.2. After processing has been concluded, both sections 7 and 9, on their respective carriers, are folded as in Fig.3, so that they lie flat against the rear surface of the unit, and may be secured in this position by adhesive means, so that they are completely enclosed. Thus none of the processing material, which can have harmful effects, can escape. Various modifications are described in which the folded-over portions are of different sizes, or have different means of attachment, or in which only one of the container or trap members are folded over. Figs.41 and 48 show a camera for use with film units of the above type, and also provided with means for automatically folding back the forward end of the unit carrying the ruptured container. Rollers 399, 400 are the pressure-applying means which rupture the container as the unit is fed forward between them. The lower roller 399 has an extended shaft 439 on which is mounted a spool 433. On this is wound a pull-tape 431 ending in a tab 437. Thus pulling on the tab rotates the spool 433 clockwise against the action of a spring 435. Besides actuating the rollers, this also drives, through a gear system, a pair of pointed picker fingers which enter into driving engagement with apertures in the film unit and slide it forward into the bite of the rollers, which rupture the container and so initiate the processing step. In front of the rollers is a cross-bar 421 carried by arms 425 mounted on the camera housing by pivots 423. From the rollers, the film unit is directed along an exit path to the camera exterior, passing above the cross-bar 421. A resilient spring arm 427, secured to an arm 425, is timed by a cam mechanism to operate at this moment, and engages under and lifts the arms 425 and hence the crossbar 421, which is moved from the position shown in full lines in Fig.41 to the position shown in broken lines. During this movement it engages the forward end of the film unit carrying the ruptured container and folds it over through about 135 degrees into engagement with an inclined housing wall 465. As the leading end of the image-recording portion itself passes beyond the cross-bar, this is resiliently urged back to its first position, so that the folding back of the forward end against the back of the image-recording portion is completed.