US3685412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographing apparatus and process employing a filter-applicator
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
•
Filing: 1971-01-05
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1991-01-05
Abstract
Abstract Photographic apparatus and process employing an applicator body disposed in communication with a container of processing liquid and adapted for conduction of the liquid to a surface of the body which is pressed into contact with the photosensitive area of an exposed sheet of photographic material. The applicator body is of filter material which upon contact with the liquid is pervious to the liquid and impervious to gas within a given range of pressure differential such that upon application of a suitable pressure to the source, gas-free liquid is conducted to the applicator surface and uniformly distributed thereat. Preferably, the container of the source of liquid and the applicator body are provided in a disposable assembly adapted for releasable mounting on a camera, and the container includes a plurality of deformable areas which may be selectively activated for repetitive application of a differential pressure to the applicator body in accordance with processing of successive film sheets. Additionally, a movable member mounted within the camera, for pressing of each film sheet into contact with the applicator body, includes a resilient non-planar surface having a raised surface portion configured for displacement of air from between the photographic material and the applicator as the photographic material is pressed thereagainst.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter G Lehmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:18
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D5/00; G03D5/06; G03D5/065; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/48; G03B17/50; G03B17/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A camera for exposing photographic material and for applying processing liquid thereto, said camera comprising: means for receiving such photographic material in an exposure station of said camera; means for exposing an area of such photographic material when it is so received in said exposure station; means for permitting passage of such liquid from a source thereof to such material and for precluding passage of gaseous fluid whereby such liquid may be applied to such photographic material without including entrained gas in dispensed portions of such liquid, said liquid passing and gas precluding means including one surface of at least substantially equal in area to such exposed area; and means for positioning such exposed area of such photographic material on said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A camera for exposing photographic material and for applying processing liquid thereto, said camera comprising: means for receiving such photographic material in an exposure station of said camera; means for exposing an area of such photographic material when it is so received in said exposure station; means for permitting passage of such liquid from a source thereof to such material and for precluding passage of gaseous fluid whereby such liquid may be applied to such photographic material without including entrained gas in dispensed portions of such liquid, said liquid passing and gas precluding means including one surface of at least substantially equal in area to such exposed area; and means for positioning such exposed area of such photographic material on said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The camera of claim 1 wherein said liquid passing and gas precluding means comprises a porous filter medium which in cooperation with the surface tension of such liquid permits passage of such liquid and precludes passage of gaseous fluid within a given range of pressure differential.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The camera of claim 1 wherein said liquid passing and gas precluding means comprises a porous medium having a pore size in the range of 0.5 to 10 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The camera of claim 1 additionally including means for establishing a pressure differential across said fluid passing and gas precluding means to effect the flow of such liquid from such source to such exposed area of photographic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The camera of claim 1 additionally including means for sequentially exposing a plurality of sheets of such photographic material, and means for repetitively establishing a differential pressure across said liquid passing and gas precluding means for effecting passage of gas-free liquid from such source to each of such successive sheets following their exposure, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The camera of claim 1 additionally including a container for retaining such source of fluid in communication with said liquid passing and gas precluding means, and means for selectively establishing a pressure differential across said liquid passing and gas precluding means to effect a flow of liquid therethrough, and said establishIng means includes means for varying the volume of said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The camera of claim 6 wherein said container includes a plurality of deformable wall portions, one of said portions being adapted for reversible variation of said container volume for repetitively establishing said differential pressure and the others of said portions being adapted for irreversible variation of said volume for maintaining a predetermined pressure within said container intermediate operation of said one portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The camera of claim 1 including means for removing gaseous fluids from between such photographic material and said one surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
Photographic apparatus for applying processing liquid from a source of processing fluid over sheet-like photographic material having a photosensitive surface of predetermined area, said apparatus comprising: means including one surface at least substantially equal in area to such predetermined area for permitting passage of such liquid from said source to said one surface and for precluding passage of gaseous fluid therefrom; and means for positioning the predetermined area of such photographic material on said one surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
Photographic apparatus for applying processing liquid from a source of processing fluid over sheet-like photographic material having a photosensitive surface of predetermined area, said apparatus comprising: means including one surface at least substantially equal in area to such predetermined area for permitting passage of such liquid from said source to said one surface and for precluding passage of gaseous fluid therefrom; and means for positioning the predetermined area of such photographic material on said one surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said liquid passing and gas precluding means comprises a porous filter medium which in cooperation with the surface tension of such liquid permits passage of such liquid and precludes passage of gaseous fluid within a given range of pressure differential.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said liquid passing and gas precluding means comprises a porous medium having a pore size in the range of 0.5 to 10 microns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said porous filter medium has a mean pore size of about 1 micron.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 9 additionally including means for selectively establishing a pressure differential across said liquid passing and gas precluding means to effect passage of liquid from such source to such predetermined area while precluding passage of gaseous fluid thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 9 additionally including sealing means perimetrically positioned around said one surface for contact with the perimetric margin of such photographic material when it is positioned on said one surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said liquid passing and gas precluding means in a porous filter medium having another surface adapted for communication with such source of liquid, and additionally including means for selectively applying a positive pressure differential between said surfaces such that said one surface is at lower pressure than said another surface for conducting liquid to said one surface and for selectively establishing a negative pressure differential between said surfaces such that said one surface is at higher pressure than said another surface for removal of excess liquid from said one surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 9 additionally including means for selectively establishing a reversible pressure differential across said liquid passing and gas precluding means for dispensing gas-free liquid to and for withdrawing excess liquid from such photographic material when it is positioned on said one surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 9 additionally including a container for retaining such source of fluid in communication with said liquid passing and gas precluding means, and said container including at least one deformable wall portion for selective variation of the volume of said container for establishing said pressure differential.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 9 additionally including means for repetitively establishing a predetermined pressure differential across said liquid passing and gas precluding means so as to effect flow of gas-free liquid to said one surface for sequential application of such liquid to a plurality of such photographic sheets.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 18 additionally including a container for retaining such source of fluid in communication with said liquid passiNg and gas precluding means, and said pressure establishing means includes repetitively providing a predetermined pressure on such source of fluid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said pressure establishing means includes means for repetitively varying the volume of said container by a given amount for dispensing and withdrawing such liquid, and means for progressively reducing the chamber volume by a given amount intermediate said repetitive variation so as to compensate for the reduction of source volume resulting from absorption of such liquid by each successive sheet of photographic material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said container includes a plurality of deformable wall portions, one of said wall portions being adapted for reversible deformation for repetitively establishing said differential pressure across said liquid passing and gas precluding means and another of said portions being adapted for irreversible deformation for maintaining a predetermined pressure within said container intermediate operation of said one wall portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including means for removing gaseous fluids from between such photographic material and said one surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said gas removing means includes means for removing gaseous fluid from between such photographic material and said surface as such photographic material is positioned thereagainst.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said means for removing gaseous fluids includes means for initially contacting a restricted portion of such photographic material to said surface and progressively enlarging the area of contact to displace gaseous fluid toward at least one edge of such photographic material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said position means comprises: a body having another surface of substantially equal or greater area than such exposed area for supporting such photographic material; and means for displacing at least one of said bodies towards the other for pressing such photographic material against said one surface when such material is located between said surfaces.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said another surface of said second body comprises a resilient exterior surface configured to initially press a restricted area of said photographic material into contact with said one body surface and progressively increase the area of contact in a direction toward the margin of such photographic material responsive to said displacement of said bodies towards one another.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said exterior surface includes a raised surface portion tapered towards at least one margin of said another surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
116 words
Photographic apparatus for applying processing liquid from a source of processing fluid over sheet-like photographic material having a photosensitive surface of predetermined area, said apparatus comprising: means having one surface of substantially equal or greater than said predetermined area and for permitting passage of liquid between said source and said surface and for precluding passage of gaseous fluid therebetween responsive to application of given range of pressure differential thereto; means for positioning the photosensitive surface of such photographic material on said one surface; and means for reversibly establishing a pressure differential within said range of pressure differentials between said surface and such source for effecting reversible passage of liquid therebetween while precluding passage of gaseous fluid.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
116 words
Photographic apparatus for applying processing liquid from a source of processing fluid over sheet-like photographic material having a photosensitive surface of predetermined area, said apparatus comprising: means having one surface of substantially equal or greater than said predetermined area and for permitting passage of liquid between said source and said surface and for precluding passage of gaseous fluid therebetween responsive to application of given range of pressure differential thereto; means for positioning the photosensitive surface of such photographic material on said one surface; and means for reversibly establishing a pressure differential within said range of pressure differentials between said surface and such source for effecting reversible passage of liquid therebetween while precluding passage of gaseous fluid.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
69 words
An applicator for distributing processing liquid from a source of processing fluid to sheet-like photographic material having a photosensitive surface of predetermined area, said applicator comprising: means for receiving such source of processing fluid; means including a first surface at least substantially equal in area to such predetermined area for conducting liquid from said receiving means to said one surface and for subStantially precluding passage of gaseous fluids therefrom.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
69 words
An applicator for distributing processing liquid from a source of processing fluid to sheet-like photographic material having a photosensitive surface of predetermined area, said applicator comprising: means for receiving such source of processing fluid; means including a first surface at least substantially equal in area to such predetermined area for conducting liquid from said receiving means to said one surface and for subStantially precluding passage of gaseous fluids therefrom.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The applicator of claim 29 wherein said receiving means is a container of given volume having deformable wall portions adapted for reducing said volume and increasing the pressure on such source.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
61 words
The applicator of claim 29, wherein said liquid conducting and gas precluding means comprises porous filter material which in cooperation with the surface tension of such liquid permits passage thereof and precludes passage of gas between said receiving means and said one surface responsive to application of a pressure differential to said filter material within a predetermined range of pressure differential.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The applicator of claim 31 wherein said receiving means is a container, and said porous filter material comprises one major wall of said container.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
123 words
A camera for exposing photographic material and for applying processing liquid thereto, said camera comprising: a substantially lighttight housing; means for receiving at least one sheet of such photosensitive material at a first position within said housing and adjoining its perimeter; means for applying processing liquid to such photosensitive sheet at a second position within said housing and adjoining its perimeter, said applying means including filter means for permitting passage of such liquid from a source thereof without including entrained gas in dispensed portions of such liquid; means for exposing such photosensitive sheet at a position within said housing intermediate said first and second position; and means for transporting such sheet from said first position through said intermediate position to said second position.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
123 words
A camera for exposing photographic material and for applying processing liquid thereto, said camera comprising: a substantially lighttight housing; means for receiving at least one sheet of such photosensitive material at a first position within said housing and adjoining its perimeter; means for applying processing liquid to such photosensitive sheet at a second position within said housing and adjoining its perimeter, said applying means including filter means for permitting passage of such liquid from a source thereof without including entrained gas in dispensed portions of such liquid; means for exposing such photosensitive sheet at a position within said housing intermediate said first and second position; and means for transporting such sheet from said first position through said intermediate position to said second position.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
120 words
A camera for exposing photographic material and for applying processing liquid thereto, said camera comprising: a substantially lighttight housing; means for receiving at least one sheet of such photosensitive material at a first position within said housing and adjoining its perimeter; means for exposing such photosensitive sheet at a position within said housing intermediate said first and second position; means for receiving another sheet of such photographic material within said housing in a third position adjoining its perimeter and intermediate said first and second positions; and means for transporting such one sheet from said first position through said intermediate position to said second position and from said second position to said third position for superposition thereat with such another sheet.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
120 words
A camera for exposing photographic material and for applying processing liquid thereto, said camera comprising: a substantially lighttight housing; means for receiving at least one sheet of such photosensitive material at a first position within said housing and adjoining its perimeter; means for exposing such photosensitive sheet at a position within said housing intermediate said first and second position; means for receiving another sheet of such photographic material within said housing in a third position adjoining its perimeter and intermediate said first and second positions; and means for transporting such one sheet from said first position through said intermediate position to said second position and from said second position to said third position for superposition thereat with such another sheet.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for applying a processing liquid to exposed photographic film material comprising the steps of: contacting a source of processing liquid with a porous filter body which in cooperation with the surface tension of said liquid is pervious to said liquid and is substantially impervious to gas when a pressure differential below a given maximum is applied to said body; permitting the processing liquid to permeate said body and to wet a given surface thereof; depositing an exposed sheet of photographic material on said wetted surface with the photosensitized surface of said photographic material in contact therewith; and establishing a pressure differential below said given maximum between said surface of said body and said source so as to conduct gas-free liquid therefrom to said photosensitized surface.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for applying a processing liquid to exposed photographic film material comprising the steps of: contacting a source of processing liquid with a porous filter body which in cooperation with the surface tension of said liquid is pervious to said liquid and is substantially impervious to gas when a pressure differential below a given maximum is applied to said body; permitting the processing liquid to permeate said body and to wet a given surface thereof; depositing an exposed sheet of photographic material on said wetted surface with the photosensitized surface of said photographic material in contact therewith; and establishing a pressure differential below said given maximum between said surface of said body and said source so as to conduct gas-free liquid therefrom to said photosensitized surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
139 words
A process for applying a processing liquid to exposed photographic film material comprising the steps of: contacting a source of processing liquid with a porous filter body which in cooperation with the surface tension of said liquid is pervious to said liquid and substantially impervious to gas within a given range of applied pressure differential; permitting the processing liquid to permeate said body and to wet a given surface thereof; depositing an exposed sheet of photographic material on said wetted surface with the photosensitized surface of said photographic material in contact therewith; establIshing a pressure differential between said surface of said body and said source so as to conduct gas-free liquid therefrom to said photosensitized surface; and reversing said pressure differential so as to conduct excess liquid from said photographic material to said source following a predetermined imbibition period.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
139 words
A process for applying a processing liquid to exposed photographic film material comprising the steps of: contacting a source of processing liquid with a porous filter body which in cooperation with the surface tension of said liquid is pervious to said liquid and substantially impervious to gas within a given range of applied pressure differential; permitting the processing liquid to permeate said body and to wet a given surface thereof; depositing an exposed sheet of photographic material on said wetted surface with the photosensitized surface of said photographic material in contact therewith; establIshing a pressure differential between said surface of said body and said source so as to conduct gas-free liquid therefrom to said photosensitized surface; and reversing said pressure differential so as to conduct excess liquid from said photographic material to said source following a predetermined imbibition period.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
136 words
A process for applying a processing liquid to exposed photographic film material comprising the steps of: contacting a source of processing liquid with a porous filter body which in cooperation with the surface tension of said liquid is pervious to said liquid and substantially impervious to gas within a given range of applied pressure differential; permitting the processing liquid to permeate said body and to wet a given surface thereof; depositing an exposed sheet of photographic material on said wetted surface with the photosensitized surface of said photographic material in contact therewith; establishing a pressure differential between said surface of said body and said source so as to conduct gas-free liquid therefrom to said photosensitized surface; and removing gas from between said photosensitized surface and said wetted body surface prior to establishment of said pressure differential.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
136 words
A process for applying a processing liquid to exposed photographic film material comprising the steps of: contacting a source of processing liquid with a porous filter body which in cooperation with the surface tension of said liquid is pervious to said liquid and substantially impervious to gas within a given range of applied pressure differential; permitting the processing liquid to permeate said body and to wet a given surface thereof; depositing an exposed sheet of photographic material on said wetted surface with the photosensitized surface of said photographic material in contact therewith; establishing a pressure differential between said surface of said body and said source so as to conduct gas-free liquid therefrom to said photosensitized surface; and removing gas from between said photosensitized surface and said wetted body surface prior to establishment of said pressure differential.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
69 words
The process of claim 37 wherein a portion of restricted area of said photographic material is initially pressed into contact with said wetted body surface and said area of contact is then progressively enlarged in a direction toward a margin of said photographic material to displace gas towards the edges of said photographic material and thereby remove said gas from between said photosensitized surface and said wetted body surface.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
137 words
Photographic apparatus for applying processing liquid from a source of processing fluid to the photosensitized surface of sheet-like photographic material, said apparatus comprising: means for permitting passage of such liquid from such source and for precluding passage of gaseous fluid therefrom including a porous filter medium which in cooperation with the surface tension of such liquid permits passage of such liquid and precludes passage of gaseous fluid within a given range of pressure differential; means for positioning at least a portion of such photosensitized surface on one surface of said filter medium; and means for applying a pressure differential within said given range between said one surface and such source of liquid so as to effect passage of such liquid from such source to such portion of such photographic material while precluding passage of gaseous fluids thereto.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
137 words
Photographic apparatus for applying processing liquid from a source of processing fluid to the photosensitized surface of sheet-like photographic material, said apparatus comprising: means for permitting passage of such liquid from such source and for precluding passage of gaseous fluid therefrom including a porous filter medium which in cooperation with the surface tension of such liquid permits passage of such liquid and precludes passage of gaseous fluid within a given range of pressure differential; means for positioning at least a portion of such photosensitized surface on one surface of said filter medium; and means for applying a pressure differential within said given range between said one surface and such source of liquid so as to effect passage of such liquid from such source to such portion of such photographic material while precluding passage of gaseous fluids thereto.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 39 additionally including means providing a perimetric margin around said one surface of said filter medium, and wherein said one surface is substantially equal to or less than the area of such portion of such photographic material, and said positioning means includes means for locating such portion of such photographic material on said one surface such that it extends over the full area thereof and to said margin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |