Patent GB-1405029-A (GB)
Title: Auto-process camera and film pack
IPC: G03B17/28
Filed: 1973-11-05
Abstract: 1405029 Self-processing cameras FUJI PHOTO FILM CO Ltd 5 Nov 1973 [6 Nov 1972] 51340/73 Headings G2A and G2X A self-processing camera has a light-proof entry aperture such that when a pack of film sheets in a light-proof envelope is inserted therein, the envelope is broken open and the sheets themselves can be further inserted into the camera. As shown, the camera has an entrance aperture 3 through which a pack 108 of monosheets (self-processing film units) can be inserted. This aperture is normally closed by a flap door 4, which is pivoted clockwise as the pack 108 is pushed in. A pressure plate 15 is supported by a system of spring-loaded toggle levers 7, 11, 12 see also Fig 3. (not shown). As the door 4 is pivoted by pack 108, pins 6 on the door engage the end 8 of toggle lever 7 and the lever system is pivoted so that pressure plate 15 is drawn rearwards, and the film sheets 50 pass in front of it, until the leading end engages against a spring stop plate 27. The film sheets 50 are contained in the pack 108 which is formed with an outer protective envelope 102 of a pliable lightproof plastics material. The envelope 102 is fixedly bonded at its leading end inside a sleeve 101 of stiff material, and its other end fits into a hod 106 of stiff material. A push strip 103 is attached to hod 106. At its leading end the envelope is closed over by flaps 104 which are secured together, to exclude light, in a readily separable manner. As the pack 108 is pushed into the camera through the aperture 3, the sleeve 101  comes up against a stopper strip on the wall of the camera interior 1', and is held thereby. Further pressure on push strip 103 causes the leading edges of the sheets 50 to press against and burst apart the flaps 104, and to continue their movement in front of plate 15 until stopped by plate 27, as described above. The envelope 102, being attached to sleeve 101, is stripped away from the sheet 50 and is withdrawn by pulling strip 103 out of the camera, together with hod 106 and sleeve 101, which are now discarded. The toggle lever system can now return under its spring loading to push the pressure plate forward again so that the foremost sheet 50 is located against a frame 18 which defines the exposure plane. The shutter release mechanism (not shown) is linked to a lever system 30, 31, 38, and after release has been effected the outer end of lever 38 moves to the right. This causes the outer ends of levers 30, 31 also to move to the right. Pawls 36, 37 at the ends of these levers engage in holes at the forward end of the exposed sheet 50 (51a, 51b,) Fig. 7 (not shown) and draw the sheet into the nip of the processing rollers. At the same time a motor 44 is switched on which drives the rollers, so that the sheet is passed completely between them, and out of the camera through an exit slot 42. A fixed rack 25 is provided near the entrance 3, and a spring-loaded pawl 24 attached to the end of lever 11 can engage with the teeth of the rack. When a pack of say ten monosheets is inserted into the camera, the end of lever 11 moves rearwards, and the pawl rides over successive teeth of the rack, so that it moves from the position of Fig. 4a to Fig. 4b (not shown). As monosheets are exposed and removed, one by one, the pawl rides forward one tooth at a time, but the device locks to prevent insertion of any further monosheets until at least five sheets have been exposed and removed, when the position of Fig. 4a is reached once more. In this position, up to five more monosheets may now be introduced.