Improvements in or relating to "Daylight" or other Changing of Packages of Photographic Cut Films or other Sensitive Surfaces arranged as a Pack and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Sept., 1899-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to "Daylight" or other Changing of
Packages of Photographic Cut Films or other Sensitive Surfaces
arranged as a Pack and Apparatus therefor.
I, ARTHUR LEWIS ADAMS, of 26, Charing Cross Road, London, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object improvements in or relating to "daylight"
or other changing of packages of photographic cut films or other sensitive sur-
faces arranged as a pack and apparatus therefor and is as follows:-
For the sake of example I will first of all describe my invention as carried into
practice with what are known as cut films."
Each film is mounted in a sheath of any suitable light-tight material of any
suitable construction such for instance as are at present well-known and adapted
for my purpose or each said film may be otherwise prepared or arranged in any
suitable manner so as to prevent the light passing through same and I arrange
any suitable number of such films (say for instance a dozen) as a series or pack
in a holder or magazine or case of special construction and advantageously formed
of thin sheet metal the front of said case being open with rebates along three sides
while over the top edge of the pack of films in their sheaths etc. I arrange a
rebate or projecting ledge at each side which extends a short distance over the
top edge of the pack of films except the foremost and rearmost so as to only
allow the withdrawal of one film at a time and that the front one.
In connection with this case or magazine I provide a loose light-tight slide or
movable front of corresponding size and shape to the films and adapted to form
one of the series or pack. The top edge of said pack of films in the case or
holder may be rendered light-tight in any suitable manner for instance by a
suitable cover advantageously hinged to the top back edge of the case and adapted
to close the top of the case in a light-tight manner (or a loose cover may be used)
or the top edges of the sheaths may be so arranged and constructed as to form
a light-tight junction with one another along their top edges for instance by
means of a strip of velvet provided along the top edge of each sheath.
In place of using films as aforesaid it will be obvious that I can similarly
arrange as a pack any other sensitive surfaces for instance a series of sensitised
glass plates each mounted in a suitable sheath or backed as aforesaid.
It will thus be seen that when a series or pack of cut films or sensitive surfaces
have thus been placed in the aforesaid case or magazine and the loose light-tight
slide or movable front placed in position in the front of the case and the top
cover closed or the top edge of the pack of films otherwise rendered light-tight
as aforesaid (i.e. the cases or magazines having been charged in the dark room)
such case or magazine with its charge of sensitive surfaces can in the daylight
or any other light in this condition be inserted into a camera or changing box
or equivalent photographic apparatus of any suitable character adapted to receive
said magazine or case and provided with suitable means to hold said magazine
rigidly in such position that the front sensitive surface in said magazine will be
exactly brought up to register-springs being provided on the inside of the back
of the said portable magazine or case to force the whole pack forwardly so that
when the magazine is in position in the camera and the light-tight loose slide
or removable front of said magazine has been withdrawn (as hereinafter

page_text: explained) said springs will consequently cause the front film to be thereby
brought up to register.
The camera or changing box etc. has a clear opening over the top of the
magazine when in position therein the said opening being protected by a light-
tight bag or other suitable arrangement of light-tight material or means whereby
the operator can grasp the edge of the sensitive surface or sheath (either through
the medium of said flexible light-tight material or by inserting the hand) so as
to enable said sensitive surfaces to be successively withdrawn from the front of
the magazine and inserted at the rear of the pack.
The operation is as follows:-
When it is desired to put a fresh supply of sensitive surfaces in the camera
or changing box the latter is opened and one of these portable magazines or cases
can in the daylight or any other light then be placed in position in said camera
or changing box and the latter is then closed light-tight.
Next the operator through the medium of the aforesaid light-tight bag opens
the hinged cover of the portable magazine (where the hinged cover is used) and
then he withdraws the movable light-tight front from the front of the pack and
inserts same at the rear of the pack and the front sensitive surface in the pack
is now ready for an exposure and in correct position therefor as herein before
explained. After exposure this front film is withdrawn by the hand of the
operator and inserted at the back of the pack whereby the next sensitive surface
is brought up to register, and so on.
When all the films have in turn been withdrawn from the front position and
been transferred to the rear thereby the movable light-tight front will have
returned to the front position and the cover can then be closed and the sensitive
surfaces in the portable magazine are now once more in a light-tight condition
and therefore the camera or changing box can now be opened and the portable
magazine removed therefrom in daylight or any other light and a fresh portable
magazine according to my present invention placed in position in said camera etc.
and so on.
In place of the foregoing apparatus I may use the following modified arrange-
ment for carrying my present invention into practice.
A pack of sensitive surfaces may be arranged in a case or holder consisting of
a hack, two sides and bottom with rebate at the front along the three said sides
and the top and front left open.
A corresponding case or device is made of slightly larger dimensions so that
the first-named one containing the sensitive surfaces arranged as a pack (and
either with or without the loose light-tight slide or removable front) can be
reversed and slid in the second-named device whereby the pack of sensitive sur-
faces is held in a perfectly light-tight condition. The magazine or case thus
formed is placed in the camera as in the first-described arrangement in such-
wise that the smaller part containing the sensitive surfaces can be slid right up
out of the larger part and reversed and then slid down again into the larger part
by which means the foremost sensitive surface of the pack is brought into posi-
tion for exposure the changing of each sensitive surface in succession being
effected as before described and when it is desired to remove this portable maga-
zine from the camera etc. the smaller part of the case (and with it the pack) is
raised out of the larger part and reversed and then slid again into the larger
part whereby the pack is now again held in the light-tight condition and the
camera can be then opened and the magazine removed in daylight.
I am aware of Newman's changing box Patent No. 8329 of 1886

page_text: Improvements in or relating to "Daylight" or other Changing of
Packages of Photographic Cut Films or other Sensitive Surfaces
arranged as a Pack and Apparatus therefor.
I, ARTHUR LEWIS ADAMS, of 26, Charing Cross Road, London, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
This invention has for its object improvements in or relating to "daylight"
or other changing of packages of photographic cut films or other sensitive sur-
faces arranged as a pack and apparatus therefor and is designed with the object
of enabling packages of photographic cut films (whether rigid or flexible) or other
sensitive surfaces arranged as a pack to be changed in the daylight or otherwise,
and primarily relates to apparatus or means for enabling what is known as
daylight" changing to be effected with paokages of flat films or sensitive sur-
faces; as distinguished from what are known as rollable films i.e. a length of
film wound in a roll which latter as is well known have been arranged so as to
be adapted to be changed in the daylight.
"
I will now therefore proceed to describe my present invention (which relates
solely and only to flat films or sensitive surfaces-and is not applicable to rollable
films) and means for carrying same into effect with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the pack of sensitive
surfaces such as ordinary plates each in a sheath or
"backed with a material
through which the light cannot pass said pack being held in a reversible box or
case constructed in two parts according to the present invention and arranged
to act as hereinafter described.
Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 showing the position of the two parts after
the pack of films together with the part of the case holding same have been
reversed as hereinafter explained.
Fig. 3 is a front view in elevation (part being broken away) that is looking in
the direction of the arrow 3 Fig. 2 showing the position of the parts in the
reversed position ready for giving an exposure.
Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a modified arrangement, and Fig. 5 is
a plan or top edge view of Fig. 4 after the parts have been reversed as hereinafter
explained.
Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 4 showing another
modified arrangement.
Fig. 7 shows part of a suitable camera for use in conjunction with my present
invention.
Figs. 9 to 11 show another modified arrangement.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout.
Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3-the case for effecting this daylight changing
of a pack of flat sensitive surfaces according to this invention is made in two
parts adapted to fit (accurately) and to slide within or upon one another such
two parts consisting of the inner part which contains and holds the pack of
sensitive surfaces and the outer part in which said inner part slides; each said
part being advantageously formed of carton or thin sheet metal plate or other
suitable light-tight material.
The outer part consists of a complete back a of rectangular form (see Fig. 3)
rather larger than the sensitive surfaces to be changed therein and has at right
angles thereto two vertical slides b in parallel planes opposite to one another,

page_text: and a bottom piece c and side pieces b being equal or slightly greater than the
depth from front to back of the other part of the case containing the sensitive
surfaces and at the front edge of said two sides and bottom piece same is turned
over or provided with a rebate or inwardly projecting edge d all round between
which rebate or inwardly projecting edge d and the back a aforesaid the other
part A B C D of said case is adapted to fit and slide freely.
The other or inner said part of the case is formed as a counterpart to the outer
part a bed just described only of slightly smaller dimensions so as thus to
be adapted to slide within said outer part a bed; i.e. this inner part consists
of a front rectangular plate A with two vertical sides B at right angles thereto
and top C and rebate or inwardly projecting edge D all round said two sides B
and top C.
Thus an opening is formed surrounded by the rebate or edge d in the front
face of the outer part and a corresponding opening surrounded by the rebate or
edge D in the back of the inner case, the top of the outer part being left quite
open but the bottom of the inner part is not left quite open (as will be hereinafter
explained) so that by placing the partly-open bottom of the inner part A B C D
with the rebate D of the latter adjacent to the back a of the outer case and then
sliding these two parts together on one another the pack of sensitive surfaces y
arranged in said inner part will then be completely enclosed and by making the
parts to fit accurately and providing the inside of the rebate d on the outer
part and the inside face of the bottom c of the latter with velvet or any suitable
lining thereby all light will be prevented from reaching the sensitive surfaces
in said enclosing case; or the said two parts may be provided on their adjoining
faces or either of them with any suitable packing or light-excluding material or
otherwise fitted or arranged to prevent possibility of light reaching the sensitive
surfaces in this case while same is, in the daylight, being inserted into or with-
drawn from any suitable photographic camera or changing box adapted for use
therewith.
Having inserted said pack of sensitive surfaces contained in a case as aforesaid
into a camera or changing box adapted for the purpose as aforesaid i. e. a camera
or changing box provided with a light-tight bag of flexible material adapted to
permit the operator to grasp through same the sensitive surfaces (such for
instance as a camera with light tight bag z of the character illustrated in Fig. 7),
care being taken to insert said case with the rebates d of the outer case facing
towards the lens, and having closed the camera-the operator then through the
medium of the light-tight bag z grasps the inner part A C aforesaid (for instance
by means of a strip or handle such as W Fig. 1 on the exterior of the top C)
and slides said inner part (together with the pack of films therein) right out of
the outer part a b c d (which latter is advantageously held fast in the camera
by suitable means provided in the latter) and then the operator as soon as the
inner part is clear of the outer part reverses said inner part and then re-inserts
same within the outer part so as to bring the open face or front of the inner
part A B C D into coincidence with the open face or front of the outer part,
that is opposite the lens as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, while the front plate A of
the inner part' now lies next and close against the back plate a of the outer
case; the front one of the pack of sensitive surfaces being now in position for
taking a photograph.
1
The photograph having been taken or when desired to change the front sensi-
tive surface said front sensitive surface is grasped by the operator (through the
medium of the light-tight bag ) and raised out of the case and then inserted
again therein at the back of the pack that is between the back of the pack and
the springs E F fixed to the inside of the plate A the object of said springs being
of course to keep the whole pack of films pressed forward against the rebate 1
and thus the next sensitive surface of the pack is brought up to register ready
for exposure and so on.
Means are provided to prevent more than one sensitive surface being raised at

page_text: a time such for instance as the holding-down device G shown in plan in Fig. 5
the ends of said device G being of such a width as to only permit one sensitive
surface to pass between the edge G¹ thereof and the rebate D and also allowing
said sensitive surfaces to be passed freely into the inner part between the edge G
and the plate A as shown in Fig. 5 while the central part G is narrowed and
serves as a handle or means by which the operator can (through the medium
of the aforesaid light-tight bag) grip and raise the inner case when in this posi-
tion until clear of the outer case whereupon said inner part is reversed to its
original position and then slid again into the outer part and the pack of sensitive
surfaces in this case are thus now again enclosed in a light-tight manner and
can now be removed from the camera even in the daylight without injury to the
sensitive surfaces-means (not shown) being provided if desired to automatically
lock or otherwise fasten the inner part and outer part together in this position,
or the two parts may simply be held together by friction, so as to prevent same
coming apart by accident.
Referring now to Figures 4 and 5-in this arrangement the inner part A B C D
of the case is constructed as already described or with a complete back and front
plate while the outer part is constructed with a complete front plate a¹ similar
to the back plate a thus forming a complete enclosing box open only along the
top side opposite the bottom c, and on the outside of this front plate a¹ 1 arrange
a rebate e down the two vertical sides and along the bottom edge so that after
the parts of the case have been reversed into the positions shown in Figs. 4 and 5
the front sensitive surface can then be lifted right out of said case (through the
medium of the light-tight bag) and inserted in the rebate e on the front of the
front plate al of the outer case in which position same will be ready for exposure
and thereafter said sensitive surface is withdrawn out of the rebate e and inserted
at the back of the pack in the case and then another sensitive surface taken from
the front of the pack and placed in the rebate e and so on; a special advantage
of this arrangement being that the plate al of the outer case will thus act as
backing to the sensitive surface which latter need not therefore be provided
with any sheath or light-tight backing unless desired inasmuch as said plate a¹
will prevent the light when the exposure takes place from reaching the rest of
the pack.
Or instead of arranging same on the front plate u of the outer case this
rebate e may be mounted on the outside of the plate a of the outer case a b c d
constructed as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3-the only difference being that in this
construction the outer part a b c d (with the inner part A B C D therein as
before) would be inserted in the camera with the plate a and rebate e on the
outside thereof facing the lens and thus after the inner part has been "reversed"
as aforesaid the sensitive surfaces can now one by one be withdrawn from the
case and inserted in such rebate e and after exposure withdrawn therefrom and
re-inserted in the pack in the manner herein before described.
In the case of either of the above-described arrangements I find it advantageous
to provide means to raise the plates out of the inner part A B C D of the case
-for instance by means of a slope or inclined plane on the inside face of the
bottom Cof said inner part A B C D or the provision of these means to assist
in removing each said front (or back) plate in turn would in any way probably
greatly facilitate the operation of changing the sensitive surfaces.
As an additional means of preventing any possibility of light reaching the
sensitive surfaces arranged as a pack in a case formed in two parts and arranged
to act in the aforesaid manner (Figs. 1 to 3) I may provide a dummy plate or
light shield X or surface of any suitable material through which it is impossible
for light to pass for instance a metal plate X with velvet edging or covered with
velvet such plate being of the same size and shape as the sensitive surfaces in
the pack so that by placing this dummy plate X at the front of the pack next
to the rebate D against which latter same will be forced by the action of the
springs E F thereby all light will be excluded at all points except along the one

page_text: edge adjacent to the top piece G i. e. the edge along which there is no rebate;
said dummy plate being of course removed (after the case has been placed in the
camera and "reversed as aforesaid) and inserted at the back of the pack and
thus the front sensitive surface is made ready for exposure and in due course
when all the sensitive surfaces in the pack have been changed the dummy plate
will consequently now again have come round into position in the front of the
pack where it remains while the inner part of the case is reversed" and there-
after the said case can be withdrawn from the camera in daylight as aforesaid.
With the employment of this dummy plate it is possible to dispense with the
outer part of the case and simply employ the inner part A B C D of Figs. 1 to 3
together with said dummy plate X in which case it will be necessary to employ
a hinged or other suitable light-tight lid H as shown in Fig. 6 so that with the
lid H closed down and the dummy plate X in front pressed against the rebate 1)
the pack of sensitive surfaces is thereby kept perfectly light-tight in the
case A B C D which can thus be inserted in the camera after which the lid H
is raised and laid back (through the medium of the light-tight bag z aforesaid)
and then first the dummy plate and then the sensitive surfaces can one by one
be withdrawn from the front and inserted at the back of the pack until the
dummy plate X has worked round to the front again whereupon the lid H is
closed (through the medium of the light-tight bag ) and the case can then be
withdrawn from the camera in the daylight without fear of the light reaching
the surfaces therein.
Referring now to Figs. S to '11 of the drawings hereunto annexed-in this
arrangement the case is made in two separate parts.
Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the outer case alone.
Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the inner case (separate from the outer case)
containing the pack of sensitive surfaces which do not require any sheath or
backing in this arrangement.
Fig. 10 is a similar view showing the two parts of the case combined in the
closed position i. e. in position to keep light-tight the pack of sensitive surfaces
enclosed therein.
1
Fig. 11 shows this modified arrangement of the case in position in tlie camera
and the inner part "reversed" i. e. in position to permit the sensitive surfaces
to be withdrawn from said case and re-inserted therein as follows:-
The outer case Fig. 8 is made with a complete front a¹ same as the back a¹
(a small recess being cut away or formed if desired at a on both the back and
front a aso as to permit the finger and thumb of the operator to thereby grasp
the inner case slid within said outer case.
The inner case Fig. 9 (containing the pack of sensitive surfaces y) has also a
complete front and back plate A* extending completely from end to end and top
to bottom on both the back and front face of this inner case Fig. 9.
In the arrangement illustrated I have shown each sensitive surface with a
separate tab y¹ attached thereto by which latter means each sensitive surface can
in turn be readily selected for removal.
In Fig. 10 I have shown the inner case inserted in the outer case and it will
thus readily be seen that in this closed position with the complete front and
back plate A fitting down to the bottom or thereabouts of the outer case it will
thus be impossible for light to reach the sensitive surfaces y therein.
In Fig. 11 I have shown the inner case reversed and inserted in the outer
case and in position inside a camera; and on the vertical inside faces of said
camera a vertical guide or rebate is formed separate from the said case and
adapted to receive and guide and hold each sensitive surface in a vertical position
within the camera in front of said case i.e. between said case and the lens as
shown in Fig. 11 the springs m which are fixed to the inside of said camera
serving to keep the sensitive surface y (which has been withdrawn from the
case and inserted in said guide-ways in the camera) pressed against the rebate
or side of the guide-way in which position said sensitive surface y³ is exactly

page_text: brought up to register ready for exposure-after which said plate y is withdrawn
from the position shown in Fig. 11 and re-inserted in the case and another sensi-
tive surface can then be withdrawn from the case and inserted in the guide-
way o and so on; light during exposure being prevented from reaching the rest
of the pack in the case by reason of the complete front plate a¹ (or a) and A*
as aforesaid and thus the sensitive surfaces can be employed in this arrangement
without a separate sheath or carrier or backing for each said sensitive surface.
The arrangement thus described with reference to Figs. 8 to 11 is very advan-
tageous in practice.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The herein-described system or method for changing packages of flat photo-
graphic sensitive surfaces (in the daylight or otherwise) which consists in
arranging said sensitive surfaces as a pack in a case formed in two parts adapted
when slid together to enclose said sensitive surfaces in a perfectly light-tight
manner and also adapted to have one part withdrawn and reversed and replaced
in reversed position within the other part after placing said case in the camera
or changing box, to thereby enable the sensitive surface therein to be exposed
and changed one by one and after the aforesaid inner part of the casing has been
again reversed and re-inserted in the outer part the said package can then be
removed from the camera or changing box in the daylight or otherwise sub-
stantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
2. A case for holding a series of photographic sensitive surfaces arranged as
a pack therein consisting of the combination of two parts the inner part which
holds the pack being adapted to slide within the outer part and to be reversed
and slid therein with light-tight packing or means to keep the two parts light-
tight at all points when slid together in the non-reversed position substantially
as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
3. A case for holding a series of photographic sensitive surfaces arranged as
a pack therein consisting of the combination of two parts the inner part which
holds the pack being adapted to slide within the outer part and to be reversed
and slid therein and means to enable each sensitive surface to be grasped in turn
by the operator substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
4. A case for holding a series of photographic sensitive surfaces arranged as
a pack therein consisting of the combination of two parts the inner part which
holds the pack being adapted to slide within the outer part and to be reversed
and slid therein with light-tight packing or means to keep the two parts light-
tight at all points when slid together in the non-reversed position, means to pre-
vent more than one sensitive surface at a time from being moved when the parts
have been reversed and means to enable each sensitive surface to be grasped in
turn by the operator substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
5. A holder or light-tight case for holding a pack or series of flat sensitive
surfaces for photographic purposes consisting of the arrangement and combina-
tion with a rectangular outer part a b c d of an inner part A B C D of corre-
sponding form adapted to fit and slide within said outer part which two parts
will together completely enclose said pack of sensitive surfaces the inner part
being adapted to be "reversed" with respect to the outer part when in position
in the camera and thereby bring the sensitive surfaces into position to be exposed
and changed one by one and thereafter by again reversing the inner part the
pack can be completely enclosed and then removed from the camera even in the
daylight substantially as and for the purposes herein before described with refer-
ence to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
6. A holder or light-tight case for holding a pack or series of flat sensitive
surfaces for photographic purposes consisting of the arrangement and combina-
tion with a rectangular outer part a b c d of an inner part A B C D of corre-

page_text: sponding form adapted to fit and slide within said outer part which will together
completely enclose said pack of sensitive surfaces the inner part being adapted to
be "reversed" with respect to the outer part when in position in the camera and
thereby enable the sensitive surfaces to be removed one by one for exposure between
the outside of the case and the lens and then to be replaced in the pack and
thereafter by again reversing the inner part the pack can be completely enclosed
again and then removed from the camera even in the daylight substantially as
and for the purposes herein before described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 of
the drawings hereunto annexed.
7. A holder or light-tight case for holding a pack or series of sensitive sur-
faces consisting of a rectangular device-with one face and top side open-formed
of a plate A, two vertical sides B, bottom C, and rebate D), around said open face
and means to close said open face consisting of a dummy plate or light shield X
corresponding to the shape and size of the sensitive surfaces and combined there-
with in a pack and a lid H to close the open top side of the said holder sub-
stantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described with reference to
Fig. 6 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
8. A holder or light-tight case in two parts for holding a pack or series of
flat sensitive surfaces for photographic purposes consisting of the arrangement
and combination with an outer part like Fig. 8 of an inner part like Fig. 9 of
corresponding form adapted to fit and slide within said outer part which together
will completely enclose in a light-tight manner said pack of sensitive surfaces
as shown in Fig. 10 the inner part being adapted to be "reversed" with respect
to the outer part when in position inside the camera or changing box to thereby
enable the sensitive surfaces to be removed from said case one by one and placed
in position between the outside of the case and the lens for exposure and then
to be replaced in the pack in said case and by again reversing the inner part in
the outer part the pack can be completely enclosed again and then removed from
the camera even in the daylight substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described with reference to Figs. 8 to 11 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
9. The herein-described means for holding a pack of photographic cut films or
other flat sensitive surfaces constructed combined and arranged to act in con-
junction with a suitable camera or changing box substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of Sentember 1800.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK
31, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.