Film transporting mechanism

Claim 2

A camerA for use with a pack of self-processing film units, the pack defining first and second sides, said camera comprising: means for receiving the pack in a position for exposing the film units; a pair of juxtaposed pressure applying members for engaging the film units therebetween to effect processing of the film units; and a transporting mechanism for first removing the film units from the first side of the pack along a movement path extending between and beyond said pressure applying members and for then repositioning at least a portion of the removed film units at the second side of the pack, said mechanism including first and second film unit engaging members having spaced positions adjacent to the first and second sides of the pack, respectively, and means for transferring the film units from said first film unit engaging member to said second film unit engaging member, said first film unit engaging member being slidably movable from the pack in a first direction substantially along said path toward and beyond said pressure applying members to remove the film units entirely from the first side of the pack, said second film unit engaging member thereafter being slidably movable in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction to position at least a portion of the removed film units at the second side of the pack, said transferring means being operative between movement of said first film unit engaging member in said first direction and movement of said second film unit engaging member in said second direction for transferring the removed film units from said first film unit engaging member to said second film unit engaging member.

Claim 3

The camera claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second film unit engaging members form part of a slidable drawer and move in unison during said movements in said first and second directions.

Claim 4

A photographic camera for use with a self-processing film unit pack, the film unit pack including a plurality of stacked film units, each film unit having an image-recording portion and a frame for supporting the image-recording portion, said camera comprising: means for receiving the film unit pack and for locating one of the film units therein in a position for exposure; a pair of juxtaposed pressure applying members for receiving therebetween the one film unit after its exposure to initiate processing of the one film unit; means for receiving the frame of the one film unit after processing thereof has been initiated; and a transporting mechanism slidably mounted for first movement from a first position to a second position and for second movement from said second position to said first position, said mechanism including a first element engageable with the one film unit after its exposure and movable from within the pack toward and beyond said pressure applying members to move the one film unit entirely from the pack and between and beyond said members in response to said first movement of said mechanism from said first position to said second position, a second element spaced from said first element and engageable with the frame of the one film unit after its movement from the pack and between and beyond said members to move the frame of the one film unit into said frame receiving means in response to said second movement of said mechanism from said second position to said first position, and means for transferring the frame of the one film unit moved from the pack and between and beyond said members from engagement with said first element to engagement with said second element when said mechanism is in said second position.

Claim 5

A photographic camera for use with a self-processing film unit pack, the film unit pack including a plurality of stacked film units, each film unit having an image-recording portion and a frame for supporting the image-recording portion, said camera comprising: means for receiving the film unit pack and for locating one of the film units therein in a position for exposure; a pair of juxtaposed pressure applying members for receiving therebetween the one film unit after its exposure to initiate processing of the one film unit; means for receiving the frame of the one film unit after processing thereof has been initiated; and a transporting mechanism slidably mounted for first movement from a first position to a second position and for second movement from said second position to said first position, said mechanism including a first element engageable with the one film unit after its exposure and movable from within the pack toward and beyond said pressure applying members to move the one film unit entirely from the pack and between and beyond said members in response to said first movement of said mechanism from said first position to said second position, a second element spaced from said first element and engageable with the frame of the one film unit after its movement from the pack and between and beyond said members to move the frame of the one film unit into said frame receiving means in response to said second movement of said mechanism from said second position to said first position, and means for transferring the frame of the one film unit moved from the pack and between and beyond said members from engagement with said first element to engagement with said second element when said mechanism is in said second position.

Claim 6

A reciprocatable film unit transporting mechanism for use in a self-processing camera, the camera including a pair of elongated, juxtaposed, pressure applying members and means for locating a pack of self-processing film units, the pack including an exit for withdrawing a forwardmost one of the film units from the pack and an entrance spaced from the exit for Reinserting at least a portion of the withdrawn film unit into the pack, said mechanism comprising: a pair of spaced, parallel side walls disposed at opposite ends of the pressure applying members; a top wall extending between the pressure applying members and including means for engaging the forwardmost one of the film units to withdraw the one film unit entirely from the pack, through the exit, and between the members and further including means engageable with one of the members for moving the one member away from the other member to facilitate entry of the one film unit therebetween; a bottom wall spaced from said top wall and including means for engaging the withdrawn one of the film units to reinsert at least a portion of the one film unit into the pack through the entrance; and means for transferring the withdrawn one of the film units from said top wall engaging means to said bottom wall engaging means.

Claim 7

A reciprocatable film unit transporting mechanism for use in a self-processing camera, the camera including a pair of elongated, juxtaposed, pressure applying members and means for locating a pack of self-processing film units, the pack including an exit for withdrawing a forwardmost one of the film units from the pack and an entrance spaced from the exit for Reinserting at least a portion of the withdrawn film unit into the pack, said mechanism comprising: a pair of spaced, parallel side walls disposed at opposite ends of the pressure applying members; a top wall extending between the pressure applying members and including means for engaging the forwardmost one of the film units to withdraw the one film unit entirely from the pack, through the exit, and between the members and further including means engageable with one of the members for moving the one member away from the other member to facilitate entry of the one film unit therebetween; a bottom wall spaced from said top wall and including means for engaging the withdrawn one of the film units to reinsert at least a portion of the one film unit into the pack through the entrance; and means for transferring the withdrawn one of the film units from said top wall engaging means to said bottom wall engaging means.

Claim 8

A photographic camera for use with a self-processing film unit pack, the film unit pack including a plurality of stacked film units, each film unit defining a leading end and a trailing end and having an image-recording portion and a frame for supporting the image-recording portion, said camera comprising: means for receiving the film unit pack and for locating one of the film units therein in a position for exposure; a pair of juxtaposed pressure applying members for receiving therebetween the one film unit after its exposure to initiate processing of the one film unit; means for receiving the frame of the one film unit after processing thereof has been initiated; and a transporting mechanism slidably mounted for first movement from a first position to a second position and for second movement from said second position to said first position, said mechanism including a first element engageable with the trailing end of the one film unit after its exposure and movable from within the pack toward and beyond said pressure applying members to move the one film unit entirely from the pack and between and beyond said members in response to said first movement of said mechanism from said first position to said second position, a second element spaced from said first element and engageable with the leading end of the frame of the one film unit after its movement from the pack and between and beyond said members to move the frame of the one film unit into said frame receiving means in response to said second movement of said mechanism from said second position to said first position, and means for transferring the frame of the one film unit moved from the pack and between and beyond said members from engagement with said first element to engagement with said second element when said mechanism is in said second position.

Claim 9

A photographic camera for use with a self-processing film unit pack, the film unit pack including a plurality of stacked film units, each film unit defining a leading end and a trailing end and having an image-recording portion and a frame for supporting the image-recording portion, said camera comprising: means for receiving the film unit pack and for locating one of the film units therein in a position for exposure; a pair of juxtaposed pressure applying members for receiving therebetween the one film unit after its exposure to initiate processing of the one film unit; means for receiving the frame of the one film unit after processing thereof has been initiated; and a transporting mechanism slidably mounted for first movement from a first position to a second position and for second movement from said second position to said first position, said mechanism including a first element engageable with the trailing end of the one film unit after its exposure and movable from within the pack toward and beyond said pressure applying members to move the one film unit entirely from the pack and between and beyond said members in response to said first movement of said mechanism from said first position to said second position, a second element spaced from said first element and engageable with the leading end of the frame of the one film unit after its movement from the pack and between and beyond said members to move the frame of the one film unit into said frame receiving means in response to said second movement of said mechanism from said second position to said first position, and means for transferring the frame of the one film unit moved from the pack and between and beyond said members from engagement with said first element to engagement with said second element when said mechanism is in said second position.

Claim 10

A photographic camera for use with a self-processing film unit pack, the film unit pack including a plurality of stacked film units, each film unit having an image-recording portion and a frame for supporting the image-recording portion, said camera comprising: means for receiving the film unit pack and for locating one of the film units therein in a position for exposure; a pair of juxtaposed pressure applying members for initiating processing of the one film unit after its exposure; means for receiving the frame of the one film unit after processing thereof has been initiated; and a transporting mechanism slidably mounted for movement between first and second positions, said mechanism including a first element engageable with the one film unit after its exposure to withdraw the one film unit entirely from the pack and between said pressure applying members in response to movement of said mechanism from said first position to said second position, a second element spaced from said first element and engageable with the frame of the one film unit after its withdrawal from the pack to move the frame of the one film unit into said frame receiving means in response to movement of said mechanism from said second position to said first position, and means for transferring the frame of the one film unit withdrawn from the pack from engagement with said first element to engagement with said second element when said mechanism is in said second position, said transferring means including a resilient leaf spring defining a first end and a second end, said first end being coupled to said first element, said second end being engageable with the frame of the one film unit for effecting transfer of the frame of the one film unit into engagement with said second element.

Claim 11

A photographic camera for use with a self-processing film unit pack, the film unit pack including a plurality of stacked film units, each film unit having an image-recording portion and a frame for supporting the image-recording portion, said camera comprising: means for receiving the film unit pack and for locating one of the film units therein in a position for exposure; a pair of juxtaposed pressure applying members for initiating processing of the one film unit after its exposure; means for receiving the frame of the one film unit after processing thereof has been initiated; and a transporting mechanism slidably mounted for movement between first and second positions, said mechanism including a first element engageable with the one film unit after its exposure to withdraw the one film unit entirely from the pack and between said pressure applying members in response to movement of said mechanism from said first position to said second position, a second element spaced from said first element and engageable with the frame of the one film unit after its withdrawal from the pack to move the frame of the one film unit into said frame receiving means in response to movement of said mechanism from said second position to said first position, and means for transferring the frame of the one film unit withdrawn from the pack from engagement with said first element to engagement with said second element when said mechanism is in said second position, said transferring means including a resilient leaf spring defining a first end and a second end, said first end being coupled to said first element, said second end being engageable with the frame of the one film unit for effecting transfer of the frame of the one film unit into engagement with said second element.

Claim 12

A photographic camera for use with a self-processing film unit pack, the film unit pack including a plurality of stacked film units, each film unit having an image-recording portion and a frame for supporting the image-recording portion, said camera comprising: means for receiving the film unit pack and for locating one of the film units therein in a position for exposure; a pair of juxtaposed pressure applying members for initiating processing of the one film unit after its exposure, one of said pressure applying members being mounted for movement relative to the other of said members to provide a space therebetween; means for varying the space between said pressure applying members; means for receiving the frame of the one film unit after processing thereof has been initiated; and a transporting mechanism slidably mounted for movement between first and second positions, said mechanism including a first element engageable with the one film unit after its exposure to withdraw the one film unit entirely from the pack and between said pressure applying members in response to movement of said mechanism from said first position to said second position, a second element spaced from said first element and engageable with the frame of the one film unit after its withdrawal from the pack to move the frame of the one film unit into said frame receiving means in response to movement of said mechanism from said second position to said first position, and means for transferring the frame of the one film unit withdrawn from the pack from engagement with said first element to engagement with said second element when said mechanism is in said second position.

Claim 13

A photographic camera for use with a self-processing film unit pack, the film unit pack including a plurality of stacked film units, each film unit having an image-recording portion and a frame for supporting the image-recording portion, said camera comprising: means for receiving the film unit pack and for locating one of the film units therein in a position for exposure; a pair of juxtaposed pressure applying members for initiating processing of the one film unit after its exposure, one of said pressure applying members being mounted for movement relative to the other of said members to provide a space therebetween; means for varying the space between said pressure applying members; means for receiving the frame of the one film unit after processing thereof has been initiated; and a transporting mechanism slidably mounted for movement between first and second positions, said mechanism including a first element engageable with the one film unit after its exposure to withdraw the one film unit entirely from the pack and between said pressure applying members in response to movement of said mechanism from said first position to said second position, a second element spaced from said first element and engageable with the frame of the one film unit after its withdrawal from the pack to move the frame of the one film unit into said frame receiving means in response to movement of said mechanism from said second position to said first position, and means for transferring the frame of the one film unit withdrawn from the pack from engagement with said first element to engagement with said second element when said mechanism is in said second position.

Claim 14

The camera claimed in claim 7 wherein said varying means includes a cam supported by and movable with said mechanism to engage said one pressure applying member and move said one member away from said other member.

Claim 15

The camera claimed in claim 8 wherein said other member is fixed against translational movement.