Stripping mechanism

Claim 2

Photographic apparatus for use with a self-processing film unit, the film unit including an integral image-recording unit and a carrier sheet, the image-recording unit being adapted to record a processable latent image and being separably coupled to the carrier sheet, said apparatus comprising: a body portion defining an external boundary of said apparatus and an interior chamber for receiving the film unit; means defining a first path and a second path from said chamber to and through said boundary, said second path including a divergent portion diverging from said first path; means for guiding the image-recording unit along said first path and beyond said boundary, and for directing the carrier sheet along said second path and beyond said boundary, to separate the image-recording unit from the carrier sheet; and juxtaposed pressure-applying members for engaging the film unit between said members and for applying compressive pressure to the film unit to initiate processing of the film unit; said first path and said second path including a common portion lying between said members, and said diverging portion lying between said members and said external boundary.

Claim 3

The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said first path is substantially straight from said interior chamber, through said pressure-applying members and to said external boundary.

Claim 4

A camera for exposing and initiating the processing of a film unit, the film unit including a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image, a process element for aiding in spreading a processing composition between the photosensitive and process elements to process the latent image, and a leader separably coupled to the photosensitive and process elements, said camera comprising: a casing defining A chamber for receiving the film unit and including an external wall portion; a pair of pressure-applying members, mounted within said casing between said chamber and said wall portion, for engaging the film unit between said members and for applying compressive pressure to the film unit to effect spreading of the processing composition between the photosensitive and process elements; means defining a first aperture and a second aperture in said wall portion; and means for first directing the photosensitive and process elements and the separably coupled leader between said pressure-applying members, and for then guiding the photosensitive and process elements through said first aperture and the leader through said second aperture, to separate the photosensitive and process elements from the leader.

Claim 5

A camera for exposing and initiating the processing of a film unit, the film unit including a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image, a process element for aiding in spreading a processing composition between the photosensitive and process elements to process the latent image, and a leader separably coupled to the photosensitive and process elements, said camera comprising: a casing defining A chamber for receiving the film unit and including an external wall portion; a pair of pressure-applying members, mounted within said casing between said chamber and said wall portion, for engaging the film unit between said members and for applying compressive pressure to the film unit to effect spreading of the processing composition between the photosensitive and process elements; means defining a first aperture and a second aperture in said wall portion; and means for first directing the photosensitive and process elements and the separably coupled leader between said pressure-applying members, and for then guiding the photosensitive and process elements through said first aperture and the leader through said second aperture, to separate the photosensitive and process elements from the leader.

Claim 6

In combination, a photographic film unit adapted to be processed by a processing composition and a camera adapted to effectuate an exposure and to initiate processing of said film unit, said film unit being removable from said camera after the processing is initiated: said film unit comprising a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image in response to the exposure, a process element permanently registered with said photosensitive element, said elements together forming an integral image-recording unit, and a carrier sheet separably coupled to said image-recording unit; and said camera comprising means for effectuating the exposure, a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members for receiving said image-recording unit therebetween to spread the processing composition between said elements and thereby initiate the processing, and means for thereafter separating said image-recording unit from said carrier sheet and for directing said image-recording unit and said carrier sheet from said camera.

Claim 7

In combination, a photographic film unit adapted to be processed by a processing composition and a camera adapted to effectuate an exposure and to initiate processing of said film unit, said film unit being removable from said camera after the processing is initiated: said film unit comprising a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image in response to the exposure, a process element permanently registered with said photosensitive element, said elements together forming an integral image-recording unit, and a carrier sheet separably coupled to said image-recording unit; and said camera comprising means for effectuating the exposure, a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members for receiving said image-recording unit therebetween to spread the processing composition between said elements and thereby initiate the processing, and means for thereafter separating said image-recording unit from said carrier sheet and for directing said image-recording unit and said carrier sheet from said camera.

Claim 8

The combination claimed in claim 4 comprising a plurality of film units wherein one of said film units includes a leader separably coupled to another of said film units next adjacent to said one film unit by separable coupling means permitting said leader to be threaded between said members, and then separated from said adjacent film unit, as said adjacent film unit is removed from said camera.

Claim 9

Photographic apparatus for use with a self-processing film unit; the film unit including an image-recording portion, a container of processing initiating fluid releasably coupled to the image-recording portion for supplying the processing initiating fluid to the image-recording portion, and a carrier permanently attached to the container and strippably coupled to the image-recording portion for facilitating handling of the film unit by said apparatus; the image-recording portion having a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image and a process sheet permanently attached to the photosensitive element in registered relationship for aiding in the processing of the latent image; said apparatus comprising: a casing defining a supply chamber and including means for locating the film unit in a position for exposure to establish the latent image in the photosensitive element, said supply chamber having an end through which the film unit is removable from said supply chamber for processing of the film unit after its exposure; means for initiating processing of the film unit after exposure of the film unit, said processing initiating means including a pair of opposed pressure-applying members located adjacent said end of said chamber, the film unit being movable between said members and in engagement with said members for applying compressive pressure to the film unit; and means spaced adjacent said pressure-applying members on the opposite side of said pressure-applying members from said supply chamber for deflecting the carrier away from the image-recording portion to strip the carrier and release the container from the image-recording portion, the film unit being movable from between said members to said deflecting meAns along a first path, and the container and carrier being movable beyond said deflecting means along second and third relatively diverging paths.

Claim 10

Photographic apparatus for use with a self-processing film unit; the film unit including an image-recording portion, a container of processing initiating fluid releasably coupled to the image-recording portion for supplying the processing initiating fluid to the image-recording portion, and a carrier permanently attached to the container and strippably coupled to the image-recording portion for facilitating handling of the film unit by said apparatus; the image-recording portion having a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image and a process sheet permanently attached to the photosensitive element in registered relationship for aiding in the processing of the latent image; said apparatus comprising: a casing defining a supply chamber and including means for locating the film unit in a position for exposure to establish the latent image in the photosensitive element, said supply chamber having an end through which the film unit is removable from said supply chamber for processing of the film unit after its exposure; means for initiating processing of the film unit after exposure of the film unit, said processing initiating means including a pair of opposed pressure-applying members located adjacent said end of said chamber, the film unit being movable between said members and in engagement with said members for applying compressive pressure to the film unit; and means spaced adjacent said pressure-applying members on the opposite side of said pressure-applying members from said supply chamber for deflecting the carrier away from the image-recording portion to strip the carrier and release the container from the image-recording portion, the film unit being movable from between said members to said deflecting meAns along a first path, and the container and carrier being movable beyond said deflecting means along second and third relatively diverging paths.