Photographic apparatus

Claim 2

In a camera of the type having a normal operative fixed volume wherein a photosensitive element is exposed and then treated with a processing composition to form a visible image, the improvement comprising: support means for maintaining a photosensitive element in a position for exposure; pressure-applying means adapted to transport an exposed photosensitive element in a direction away from the exposure position and adapted to distribute a processing composition across the exposed photosensitive element; and processing means mounted for reciprocating movement away from said exposure position and then toward said exposure position and operatively associated with said pressure-applying means whereby the exposed photosensitive element is transported to a second position within the camera after said element has passed the pressure-applying means while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in a lighttight environment during at least a portion of the time required to develop the visible image.

Claim 3

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said processing means temporarily alters the normal fixed volume of the camera as the photosensitive element is transported from the exposure position to said second position.

Claim 4

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said pressure-applying means includes at least one pressure-applying roller.

Claim 5

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said processing means includes a drawer translationally reciprocable from a position within the camera and having a rack carried thereby cooperating with said pressure-applying means for moving at least a portion of said processing means fRom the camera to an extreme of movement and sequentially back to a second position within the camera.

Claim 6

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said processing means includes means for driving the photosensitive element from an exposure position to the pressure-applying means, said pressure-applying means sequentially transporting the exposed photosensitive element to an intermediate position corresponding to the extreme position of movement of said processing means, said processing means being adapted to receive the photosensitive element at said intermediate position and to return the photosensitive element to a second position within the camera.

Claim 7

The improvement according to claim 3 wherein a gear is carried by said pressure-applying roller and engages said processing means so as to impart translational reciprocable movement thereto.

Claim 8

The improvement according to claim 4 wherein said processing means includes means adapted to engage a single photosensitive element and move the exposed photosensitive element from an exposure position into an advanced position wherein the photosensitive element is engaged by said pressure-applying means.

Claim 9

The improvement according to claim 4 wherein said processing means includes a drawer-type member having at least two side walls, a bottom wall connecting said side walls, and a front wall, the side walls and front wall being progressively bridged by a curtain as said processing means translationally reciprocates to maintain a volume within said drawer-type member in a lighttight condition.

Claim 10

The improvement according to claim 8 wherein said curtain has a fixed length and is attached at opposite ends to fixed portions of the camera.

Claim 11

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means including translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed photosensitive element outwardly of the photographic apparatus away from the exposure position and back into the photographic apparatus during development of the exposed photosensitive element; and said means for transporting includes pressure-applying means and means and means for engaging and moving the exposed photosensitive element from the exposure position into engagement with said pressure-applying means, said engaging means being disengaged from the exposed photosensitive element as said element contacts said pressure-applying means.

Claim 12

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means including translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed photosensitive element outwardly of the photographic apparatus away from the exposure position and back into the photographic apparatus during development of the exposed photosensitive element; and said means for transporting includes pressure-applying means and means and means for engaging and moving the exposed photosensitive element from the exposure position into engagement with said pressure-applying means, said engaging means being disengaged from the exposed photosensitive element as said element contacts said pressure-applying means.

Claim 13

The improvement according to claim 10 wherein said operable means includes a lighttight chamber and the developing of the exposed photosensitive element is initiated after movement of said element from the exposure position to an intermediate position in said lighttight chamber, said operable means moving with the exposed photosensitive element from said intermediate position to said second position within the photographic apparatus while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in said lighttight chamber.

Claim 14

The improvement according to claim 10 and further including means for driving the exposed photosensitive element and the translationally reciprocable means in a direction away from the exposure position at different rates of speed whereby the exposed photosensitive element overtakes the translationally reciprocable means as said translationally reciprocable means reaches an extreme of movement in a first direction to a position defining an inteRmediate position, said translationally reciprocable means reversing direction and driving the exposed photosensitive element to a second position within the photographic apparatus.

Claim 15

The improvement according to claim 12 wherein the plane of movement of the exposed photosensitive element from the exposure position is angled with respect to the plane of movement of said exposed photosensitive element back into the photographic apparatus.

Claim 16

The improvement according to claim 13 wherein a means for changing the plane of movement of the exposed photosensitive element pivots the exposed photosensitive element from a plane parallel to the exposure plane to another plane angled with respect thereto whereby the reentry of the exposed film unit into the photographic apparatus is facilitated.

Claim 17

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; and means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed photosensitive element outwardly of the photographic apparatus from the exposure position and back into the photographic apparatus during development of the exposed photosensitive element, said translationally reciprocable means further includes curtain means and drawer means, said drawer means including a bottom wall, two side walls, and a front face, an open top portion being progressively covered by said curtain means which is fixed at either end to the photographic apparatus so that a lighttight chamber of varying volume is formed within the walls of said drawer means and said curtain means, said curtain means being mounted for movement into said second position to carry an exposed and processed photosensitive element to said second position.

Claim 18

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; and means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed photosensitive element outwardly of the photographic apparatus from the exposure position and back into the photographic apparatus during development of the exposed photosensitive element, said translationally reciprocable means further includes curtain means and drawer means, said drawer means including a bottom wall, two side walls, and a front face, an open top portion being progressively covered by said curtain means which is fixed at either end to the photographic apparatus so that a lighttight chamber of varying volume is formed within the walls of said drawer means and said curtain means, said curtain means being mounted for movement into said second position to carry an exposed and processed photosensitive element to said second position.

Claim 19

The improvement according to claim 15 wherein rack means is formed on at least one surface of said side walls, said rack means cooperating with said means for transporting to impart the translational reciprocating movement to said drawer means.

Claim 20

The improvement according to claim 15 wherein said curtain means comprises an elongated sheet of material having a fixed length.

Claim 21

The improvement according to claim 15 wherein said curtain means is composed of a rubberized fabric material.

Claim 22

In a photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; and means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed photosensitive element outwardly of the photographic apparatus from the exposure position and back into the photographic apparatus during development of the exposed photosensitive element and means for changing the plane of movement of the exposed photosensitive element to one which is angularly disposed with respect to the plane of exposure, thereby moving an end of the photosensitIve element to a position wherein its return to the photographic apparatus to a position spaced from the exposure plane is facilitated.

Claim 23

In a photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; and means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed photosensitive element outwardly of the photographic apparatus from the exposure position and back into the photographic apparatus during development of the exposed photosensitive element and means for changing the plane of movement of the exposed photosensitive element to one which is angularly disposed with respect to the plane of exposure, thereby moving an end of the photosensitIve element to a position wherein its return to the photographic apparatus to a position spaced from the exposure plane is facilitated.

Claim 24

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means including a lighttight camber and the developing of the exposed photosensitive element is initiated after movement of said element from the exposure position to an intermediate position in said lighttight chamber, said operable means moving with the exposed photosensitive element from said intermediate position to said second position within the photographic apparatus while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in said lighttight chamber; and said means for transporting the exposed photosensitive element includes at least one pressure-applying member relative to which the exposed photosensitive element is progressively moved, said member including drive means coacting with said member and engaging said operable means to cause a movement of said operable means outwardly from the photographic apparatus a distance sufficient to allow the rear edge of the exposed photosensitive element to clear said member, thereby allowing said operable means to displace the exposed photosensitive element reversibly into the photographic apparatus into a light-sealed second position wherein development of the exposed photosensitive element is concluded.

Claim 25

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means including a lighttight camber and the developing of the exposed photosensitive element is initiated after movement of said element from the exposure position to an intermediate position in said lighttight chamber, said operable means moving with the exposed photosensitive element from said intermediate position to said second position within the photographic apparatus while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in said lighttight chamber; and said means for transporting the exposed photosensitive element includes at least one pressure-applying member relative to which the exposed photosensitive element is progressively moved, said member including drive means coacting with said member and engaging said operable means to cause a movement of said operable means outwardly from the photographic apparatus a distance sufficient to allow the rear edge of the exposed photosensitive element to clear said member, thereby allowing said operable means to displace the exposed photosensitive element reversibly into the photographic apparatus into a light-sealed second position wherein development of the exposed photosensitive element is concluded.

Claim 26

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; and means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes a lighttight chamber and the developing of the exposed photosensitive element is initiated after movement of said element from the exposure position to an intermediate position in said lighttight chamber, said operable means moving with the exposed photosensitive element from said intermediate position to said second position within the photographic apparatus while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in said lighttight chamber, said lighttight chamber includes curtain means and translationally reciprocable means, said curtain means being fixed at one end to the upper portion of the photographic apparatus near the exposure position and at another end to the photographic apparatus at a point displaced from the attachment point of the first-mentioned end, said curtain means passing around an end of said translationally reciprocable means whereby said curtain means is fed around said end and toward the front end thereof as the translationally reciprocable means moves from the photographic apparatus, thereby maintaining said curtain means in a taut condition.

Claim 27

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; and means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes a lighttight chamber and the developing of the exposed photosensitive element is initiated after movement of said element from the exposure position to an intermediate position in said lighttight chamber, said operable means moving with the exposed photosensitive element from said intermediate position to said second position within the photographic apparatus while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in said lighttight chamber, said lighttight chamber includes curtain means and translationally reciprocable means, said curtain means being fixed at one end to the upper portion of the photographic apparatus near the exposure position and at another end to the photographic apparatus at a point displaced from the attachment point of the first-mentioned end, said curtain means passing around an end of said translationally reciprocable means whereby said curtain means is fed around said end and toward the front end thereof as the translationally reciprocable means moves from the photographic apparatus, thereby maintaining said curtain means in a taut condition.

Claim 28

The improvement according to claim 16 wherein said translationally reciprocable means includes a drawer that moves relative to said curtain means during movement of the translationally recipRocable means from the photographic apparatus in a first direction, said translationally reciprocable means being movable relative to said curtain as the translationally reciprocable means returns to a stored position within the photographic apparatus, said curtain being movable only between its fixed end portions.

Claim 29

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus, said means including means for applying pressure to the element as said element moves progressively relative thereto; means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position; and drive means rotating with at least a portion of said means for applying pressure, said drive means engaging said operable means for moving said operable means outwardly from the photographic apparatus a distance sufficient for the rear edge of the exposed photosensitive element to clear said means for applying pressure, thereby adapting said operable means to displace the exposed photosensitive element reversibly into the photographic apparatus to a storage position.

Claim 30

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus, said means including means for applying pressure to the element as said element moves progressively relative thereto; means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position; and drive means rotating with at least a portion of said means for applying pressure, said drive means engaging said operable means for moving said operable means outwardly from the photographic apparatus a distance sufficient for the rear edge of the exposed photosensitive element to clear said means for applying pressure, thereby adapting said operable means to displace the exposed photosensitive element reversibly into the photographic apparatus to a storage position.

Claim 31

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; and means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed photosensitive element outwardly of the photographic apparatus from the exposure position and back into the photographic apparatus during development of the exposed photosensitive element, said translationally reciprocable means includes curtain means and drawer means, said drawer means including a bottom wall, two side walls, and a front face, an open top portion being progressively covered by said curtain means which is fixed at either end to the photographic apparatus so that a lighttight chamber of varying volume is formed within the walls of said drawer means and said curtain means, said curtain means being adapted to carry an exposed and processed photosensitive element to a second position within the photographic apparatus, said drawer means further includes elongated bearing portions carried by said side walls cooperating with bearing portions formed on fixed portions of the photographic apparatus whereby the direction of movement of said drawer is controlled.

Claim 32

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; and means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed photosensitive element outwardly of the photographic apparatus from the exposure position and back into the photographic apparatus during development of the exposed photosensitive element, said translationally reciprocable means includes curtain means and drawer means, said drawer means including a bottom wall, two side walls, and a front face, an open top portion being progressively covered by said curtain means which is fixed at either end to the photographic apparatus so that a lighttight chamber of varying volume is formed within the walls of said drawer means and said curtain means, said curtain means being adapted to carry an exposed and processed photosensitive element to a second position within the photographic apparatus, said drawer means further includes elongated bearing portions carried by said side walls cooperating with bearing portions formed on fixed portions of the photographic apparatus whereby the direction of movement of said drawer is controlled.

Claim 33

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; and means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed elemeNt from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed photosensitive element outwardly of the photographic apparatus from the exposure position and back into the photographic apparatus during development of the exposed photosensitive element, said translationally reciprocable means includes a spring element adapted to engage an exposed photosensitive element near an extreme of its movement in a first direction for changing the plane of movement of the exposed photosensitive element to one which is angularly disposed with respect to the plane of exposure, thereby adapting the exposed photosensitive element to be returned to the photographic apparatus to a position spaced from the exposure plane.

Claim 34

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; and means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed elemeNt from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed photosensitive element outwardly of the photographic apparatus from the exposure position and back into the photographic apparatus during development of the exposed photosensitive element, said translationally reciprocable means includes a spring element adapted to engage an exposed photosensitive element near an extreme of its movement in a first direction for changing the plane of movement of the exposed photosensitive element to one which is angularly disposed with respect to the plane of exposure, thereby adapting the exposed photosensitive element to be returned to the photographic apparatus to a position spaced from the exposure plane.

Claim 35

The improvement according to claim 25 wherein said spring element is normally biased in the direction of the exposure plane and grips the exposed photosensitive element as said last-mentioned means nears its outward extreme of movement, and sequentially pivots the trailing end of the exposed photosensitive element toward the plane of movement of said last-mentioned means whereby, on the return movement of the exposed photosensitive element, said element is directed on the plane of movement of said last-mentioned means.

Claim 36

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes means for sequentially moving the exposed photosensitive element from the exposure position to an intermediate position back to said second position within the photographic apparatus; and said means for transporting includes means for moving the exposed photosensitive element from the exposure position to said intermediate position, said means for moving the exposed photosensitive element includes drive portions carried by said means for temporarily altering the normal fixed volume, and operative portions carried by fixed portions of the photographic apparatus cooperating to move an exposed photosensitive element from an exposure position into a position where said element engages said means for transporting.

Claim 37

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensitive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes means for sequentially moving the exposed photosensitive element from the exposure position to an intermediate position back to said second position within the photographic apparatus; and said means for transporting includes means for moving the exposed photosensitive element from the exposure position to said intermediate position, said means for moving the exposed photosensitive element includes drive portions carried by said means for temporarily altering the normal fixed volume, and operative portions carried by fixed portions of the photographic apparatus cooperating to move an exposed photosensitive element from an exposure position into a position where said element engages said means for transporting.

Claim 38

The improvement according to claim 27 wherein said drive portions include a biased pivotable element selectively operable by means for interlocking said drive and operative portions of said means for moving the exposed photosensitive element.

Claim 39

The improvement according to claim 27 wherein said operative portions include a slide member movable between two extreme positions corresponding to a first position where a film unit is in the exposure position and a second position where a film unit first engages said means for transporting.

Claim 40

The improvement according to claim 28 wherein said means for interlocking includes a cam for actuation thereof, said cam carried by a fixed portion of the photographic apparatus.

Claim 41

The improvement according to claim 29 wherein said slide member resiliently carries a member for engaging a slot in an exposed photosensitive element.

Claim 42

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensItive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes means for sequentially moving the exposed photosensitive element from the exposure position to an intermediate position back to said second position within the photographic apparatus; and said means for transporting includes means including a pick member cooperating with an aperture in the exposed photosensitive element for moving said element from the exposure position to said intermediate position.

Claim 43

In photographic apparatus, the improvement comprising: means defining a fixed volume representing an operative condition of said apparatus; means for supporting a photosensitive element in said apparatus in a position for exposure; means for exposing said photosensitive element to light from a scene; means for transporting said photosensItive element from its exposure position for subsequent movement to a second position within said apparatus; means operable in a preselected relationship with said transporting means for temporarily altering said fixed volume during the period of movement of said exposed element from said exposure position to said second position, said operable means includes means for sequentially moving the exposed photosensitive element from the exposure position to an intermediate position back to said second position within the photographic apparatus; and said means for transporting includes means including a pick member cooperating with an aperture in the exposed photosensitive element for moving said element from the exposure position to said intermediate position.

Claim 44

In a photographic apparatus of the type having a normal operative fixed volume wherein a photosensitive element is exposed and then treated with a processing composition to form a visible image, the improvement comprising: support means for maintaining a photosensitive element in a position for exposure; pressure-applying means including at least one pressure-applying roller adapted to transport an exposed photosensitive element in a direction away from the exposure position and adapted to distribute a processing composition across the exposed photosensitive element; processing means operatively associated with said pressure-applying means whereby the exposed photosensitive element is transported to a second position within the photographic apparatus after said element has passed the pressure-applying means while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in a lighttight environment during at least a portion of the time required to develop the visible image; and a gear carried by said pressure-applying roller and engageable with a rack carried by said processing means so as to impart translational reciprocable movement thereto.

Claim 45

In a photographic apparatus of the type having a normal operative fixed volume wherein a photosensitive element is exposed and then treated with a processing composition to form a visible image, the improvement comprising: support means for maintaining a photosensitive element in a position for exposure; pressure-applying means including at least one pressure-applying roller adapted to transport an exposed photosensitive element in a direction away from the exposure position and adapted to distribute a processing composition across the exposed photosensitive element; processing means operatively associated with said pressure-applying means whereby the exposed photosensitive element is transported to a second position within the photographic apparatus after said element has passed the pressure-applying means while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in a lighttight environment during at least a portion of the time required to develop the visible image; and a gear carried by said pressure-applying roller and engageable with a rack carried by said processing means so as to impart translational reciprocable movement thereto.

Claim 46

In a photographic apparatus of the type having a normal operative fixed volume wherein a photosensitive element is exposed and then treated with a processing composition to form a visible image, the improvement comprising: support means for maintaining a photosensitive element in a position for exposure; pressure-applying means adapted to transport an exposed photosensitive element in a direction away from the exposure position and adapted to distribute a processing composition across the exposed photosensitive element; processing means operatively associated with said pressure-applying means whereby the exposed photosensitive element is transported to a second position within the photographic apparatus after said element has passed the pressure-applying means while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in a lighttight environment during at least a portion of the time required to develop the visible image, said processing means includes a drawer translationally reciprocable from a position within the photographic apparatus and having a rack carried thereby cooperating with said pressure-applying means for moving at least a portion of said processing means from the photographic apparatus to an extreme of movement and sequentially back to a second position within the photographic apparatus; and means adapted to engage a single photosensitive element and move the exposed photosensitive element from an exposure position into an advanced position wherein the photosensitive element is engaged by said pressure-applying means, said means adapted to engage a single photosensitive element includes an operative portion and a drive portion, said operative portion being slideably carried by fixed portions of the photographic apparatus and said drive portion being carried by said processing means.

Claim 47

In a photographic apparatus of the type having a normal operative fixed volume wherein a photosensitive element is exposed and then treated with a processing composition to form a visible image, the improvement comprising: support means for maintaining a photosensitive element in a position for exposure; pressure-applying means adapted to transport an exposed photosensitive element in a direction away from the exposure position and adapted to distribute a processing composition across the exposed photosensitive element; processing means operatively associated with said pressure-applying means whereby the exposed photosensitive element is transported to a second position within the photographic apparatus after said element has passed the pressure-applying means while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in a lighttight environment during at least a portion of the time required to develop the visible image, said processing means includes a drawer translationally reciprocable from a position within the photographic apparatus and having a rack carried thereby cooperating with said pressure-applying means for moving at least a portion of said processing means from the photographic apparatus to an extreme of movement and sequentially back to a second position within the photographic apparatus; and means adapted to engage a single photosensitive element and move the exposed photosensitive element from an exposure position into an advanced position wherein the photosensitive element is engaged by said pressure-applying means, said means adapted to engage a single photosensitive element includes an operative portion and a drive portion, said operative portion being slideably carried by fixed portions of the photographic apparatus and said drive portion being carried by said processing means.

Claim 48

The improvement according to claim 34 wherein said drive portion is operatively associated with a cam carried by a fixed portion of the photographic apparatus, said cam being engageable by said drive portion during movement of said processing means, thereby adapting the drive portion to be selectively interlocked and disengaged from said operative portion.

Claim 49

The improvement according to claim 34 wherein said drive portion includes a pivotable drive member having an interlocking slot.

Claim 50

The improvement according to claim 36 wherein said operative portion includes a slide movable between a first and second position, said slide having a lug interlockable with said interlocking slot carried by said drive portion so as to move between said first and second positions in response to movement of said processing means.

Claim 51

The improvement according to claim 37 wherein said slide resiliently carries a pick element which selectively engages a photosensitive element to move the photosensitive element from an exposure position into said pressure-applying means.

Claim 52

In a photographic apparatus of the type having a normal operative fixed volume wherein a photosensitive element is exposed and then treated with a processing composition to form a visible image, the improvement comprising: support means for maintaining a photosensitive element in a position for exposure; pressure-applying means adapted to transport an exposed photosensitive element in a direction away from the exposure position and adapted to distribute a processing composition across the exposed photosensitive element; and processing means operatively associated with said pressure-applying means whereby the exposed photosensitive element is transported to a second position within the photographic apparatus after said element has passed the pressure-applying means while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in a lighttight environment during at least a portion of the time required to develop the visible image, said processing means includes a drawer translationally reciprocable from a position within the photographic apparatus and having a rack carried thereby cooperating with said pressure-applying means for moving at least a portion of said processing means from the photographic apparatus to an extreme of movement and sequentially back to a second position within the photographic apparatus, said drawer having at least two side walls, a bottom wall connecting said side walls, and a front wall, the side walls and front wall being progressively bridged by a curtain as said processing means translationally reciprocates to maintain a volume within said drawer in a lighttight condition, said processing means further includes means carried by said bottom wall for changing the planar disposition of an exposed photosensitive element, said means engaging the exposed photosensitive element as it passes on one side of said pressure-applying means and alters the angular disposition thereof relative to said bottom wall so that the photosensitive element can be repositioned within the photographic apparatus during movement of said processing means by passing on an opposite side of said pressure-applying means.

Claim 53

In a photographic apparatus of the type having a normal operative fixed volume wherein a photosensitive element is exposed and then treated with a processing composition to form a visible image, the improvement comprising: support means for maintaining a photosensitive element in a position for exposure; pressure-applying means adapted to transport an exposed photosensitive element in a direction away from the exposure position and adapted to distribute a processing composition across the exposed photosensitive element; and processing means operatively associated with said pressure-applying means whereby the exposed photosensitive element is transported to a second position within the photographic apparatus after said element has passed the pressure-applying means while maintaining the exposed photosensitive element in a lighttight environment during at least a portion of the time required to develop the visible image, said processing means includes a drawer translationally reciprocable from a position within the photographic apparatus and having a rack carried thereby cooperating with said pressure-applying means for moving at least a portion of said processing means from the photographic apparatus to an extreme of movement and sequentially back to a second position within the photographic apparatus, said drawer having at least two side walls, a bottom wall connecting said side walls, and a front wall, the side walls and front wall being progressively bridged by a curtain as said processing means translationally reciprocates to maintain a volume within said drawer in a lighttight condition, said processing means further includes means carried by said bottom wall for changing the planar disposition of an exposed photosensitive element, said means engaging the exposed photosensitive element as it passes on one side of said pressure-applying means and alters the angular disposition thereof relative to said bottom wall so that the photosensitive element can be repositioned within the photographic apparatus during movement of said processing means by passing on an opposite side of said pressure-applying means.

Claim 54

Photographic apparatus comprising: means for supporting a stacked array of film units in position for exposure; means for exposing each of said film units in sequence to light from a scene; means for translationally moving each such exposed film unit between its exposure position after exposure thereof and a second position within said apparatus on the opposite side of said array from said exposure position, said last-mentioned means includes translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed film unit sequentially between said exposure position to an intermediate position on a first plane and back to said second position wherein said exposed film unit is moved to a second plane; and engagement means carried by said translationally reciprocable means and adapted to engage an exposed film unit as said film unit reaches said intermediate position and shifts its planar disposition, said engagement means being driven toward said second plane as said film unit is moved toward said second positIon.

Claim 55

Photographic apparatus comprising: means for supporting a stacked array of film units in position for exposure; means for exposing each of said film units in sequence to light from a scene; means for translationally moving each such exposed film unit between its exposure position after exposure thereof and a second position within said apparatus on the opposite side of said array from said exposure position, said last-mentioned means includes translationally reciprocable means for moving an exposed film unit sequentially between said exposure position to an intermediate position on a first plane and back to said second position wherein said exposed film unit is moved to a second plane; and engagement means carried by said translationally reciprocable means and adapted to engage an exposed film unit as said film unit reaches said intermediate position and shifts its planar disposition, said engagement means being driven toward said second plane as said film unit is moved toward said second positIon.