US3745900A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Film assemblage
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1972-01-13
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1992-01-13
Abstract
Abstract An assemblage of ''''self-processing'''' photographic film units and leaders. The film units include photosensitive and processing elements arranged in separate stacks permitting sequential exposure of the photosensitive elements. The leaders serve to interconnect both the photosensitive and processing elements of each film unit and the respective film units. Only one leader extends from the assemblage at the time of each exposure and this one leader is adapted to be pulled from the assemblage to superpose the exposed photosensitive elements with its respective processing element, to transport that superposed unit from the assemblage and between a pair of pressure-applying members, and to advance a leader from the next successive unit to a position between the pressure members where it can be grapsed for superposing and transporting that next successive unit after its exposure.
Inventors
- 👤 H Nerwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:18
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C8/00; G03C8/42; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/28; G03B17/32; G03B17/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
278 words
An assemblage of self-processing film units, comprising: first and second film Units, each including a photosensitive element having a leading end and adapted to record a processable latent image and a process sheet having a leading end and adapted to aid in distributing a processing fluid over said photosensitive element to effect processing of the latent image, the photosensitive elements of said first and second film units being successively positionable, the photosensitive element of said first film unit first, at an exposure position in said assemblage for exposing each photosensitive element to record the latent image; first and second leader means coupled to said first and second film units, respectively, each of said leader means extending from the leading ends of said photosensitive element and said process sheet of its respective film unit and having a single leading end portion to which a continuous pulling force can be applied in a predetermined direction for effecting movement of said photosensitive element, said leading end thereof first, away from said exposure position and entirely from said assemblage in said predetermined direction for processing the latent image; and means releasably coupling said leading end portion of said second leader means to said first leader means at an inaccessible position within said assemblage before said movement of the photosensitive element of said first film unit away from said exposure position, said coupling means being effective, during said movement of the photosensitive element of said first film unit away from said exposure position, to render said second leader means leading end portion accessible, and thereafter to release said second leader means leading end portion from said coupling means and said first leader means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
278 words
An assemblage of self-processing film units, comprising: first and second film Units, each including a photosensitive element having a leading end and adapted to record a processable latent image and a process sheet having a leading end and adapted to aid in distributing a processing fluid over said photosensitive element to effect processing of the latent image, the photosensitive elements of said first and second film units being successively positionable, the photosensitive element of said first film unit first, at an exposure position in said assemblage for exposing each photosensitive element to record the latent image; first and second leader means coupled to said first and second film units, respectively, each of said leader means extending from the leading ends of said photosensitive element and said process sheet of its respective film unit and having a single leading end portion to which a continuous pulling force can be applied in a predetermined direction for effecting movement of said photosensitive element, said leading end thereof first, away from said exposure position and entirely from said assemblage in said predetermined direction for processing the latent image; and means releasably coupling said leading end portion of said second leader means to said first leader means at an inaccessible position within said assemblage before said movement of the photosensitive element of said first film unit away from said exposure position, said coupling means being effective, during said movement of the photosensitive element of said first film unit away from said exposure position, to render said second leader means leading end portion accessible, and thereafter to release said second leader means leading end portion from said coupling means and said first leader means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
An assemblage of self-processing film units as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a cartridge casing for enclosing said first and second film units, wherein said second leader means leading end portion is within said cartridge casing, and wherein said coupling means has sufficient strength, during said movement of the photosensitive element of said first film unit away from said exposure position, to withdraw said second leader means leading end portion from said cartridge casing but not to move the photosensitive element of said second film unit away from said exposure position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assemblage as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second leader means leading end portion is releasably coupled to said first leader means by a peelable joint that is strong in shear but weak in tension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
150 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members; a film assemblage including first and second self-processing film units, each having a leading end and adapted to be exposed and processed by being moved, said leading end first, from said assemblage and between said pressure-applying members, said assemblage further including first and second leader means, extending from said leading ends of said first and second film units, respectively, and withdrawable from said assemblage and between said pressure-applying members, for moving each film unit, said leading end first, from said assemblage and between said pressure-applying members; and means releasably coupling said second leader means to said first leader means for threading said second leader means between said pressure-applying members and then for releasing said second leader means from said coupling means and said first leader means when said first leader means is withdrawn from said assemblage and between said pressure-applying members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
150 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members; a film assemblage including first and second self-processing film units, each having a leading end and adapted to be exposed and processed by being moved, said leading end first, from said assemblage and between said pressure-applying members, said assemblage further including first and second leader means, extending from said leading ends of said first and second film units, respectively, and withdrawable from said assemblage and between said pressure-applying members, for moving each film unit, said leading end first, from said assemblage and between said pressure-applying members; and means releasably coupling said second leader means to said first leader means for threading said second leader means between said pressure-applying members and then for releasing said second leader means from said coupling means and said first leader means when said first leader means is withdrawn from said assemblage and between said pressure-applying members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Photographic apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said coupling means comprises a peelable joint defined by a portion of said first leader means folded back upon itself at said peelable joint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
263 words
A film assemblage comprising: a plurality of photosensitive elements arranged in a first stack each of said photosensitive elements being adapted to be exposed and removed from said first stack for processing after exposure; and then iN said a plurality of second elements arranged in a second stack and corresponding with said photosensitive elements to define respective film units, said second elements being superposable with said photosensitive elements after exposure of said photosensitive elements to assist in processing of said photosensitive elements; a leader arrangement associated with each of said respective film units, said leader arrangement including a single pull means, extending from each film unit and withdrawable from said assemblage, first for effecting movement of one of said photosensitive and second elements into superposed relationship with the other 9and then for transporting said elements in and then for transporting said elements in and then for transporting said elements in said relationship entirely from said assemblage, both in response to pulling said single pull means; and means releasably coupling said single pull means of one of said film units to said single pull means of another of said film units, prior to said movement of said photosensitive and second elements into said superposed relationship, first for withdrawing said single pull means of said one film unit from said assemblage and then for releasing said single pull means of said one film unit from said coupling means and said single pull means of said another film unit in response to withdrawal of said single pull means of said another film unit from said assemblage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
263 words
A film assemblage comprising: a plurality of photosensitive elements arranged in a first stack each of said photosensitive elements being adapted to be exposed and removed from said first stack for processing after exposure; and then iN said a plurality of second elements arranged in a second stack and corresponding with said photosensitive elements to define respective film units, said second elements being superposable with said photosensitive elements after exposure of said photosensitive elements to assist in processing of said photosensitive elements; a leader arrangement associated with each of said respective film units, said leader arrangement including a single pull means, extending from each film unit and withdrawable from said assemblage, first for effecting movement of one of said photosensitive and second elements into superposed relationship with the other 9and then for transporting said elements in and then for transporting said elements in and then for transporting said elements in said relationship entirely from said assemblage, both in response to pulling said single pull means; and means releasably coupling said single pull means of one of said film units to said single pull means of another of said film units, prior to said movement of said photosensitive and second elements into said superposed relationship, first for withdrawing said single pull means of said one film unit from said assemblage and then for releasing said single pull means of said one film unit from said coupling means and said single pull means of said another film unit in response to withdrawal of said single pull means of said another film unit from said assemblage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A film assemblage as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a cartridge casing containing said film units, said casing having an exit opening through which said film units are sequentially transportable by their respective single pull means, said single pull means of said one film unit being automatically threaded through said exit opening in response to withdrawal of said single pull means of said another film unit through said exit opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A film assemblage as claimed in claim 7 wherein said single pull means of each film unit comprises a leader extending between said photosensitive element and said second element of the corresponding film unit, said leader being folded twice upon itself in a generally Z-shaped configuration between said elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
258 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members; and an assemblage of self-processing film units, each having a leading end and adapted to be exposed and then processed by being moved, said leading end first, from said assemblage and between said pressure-applying members, said assemblage including: a plurality of photosensitive elements arranged in a first stack, said photosensitive elements being adapted to be exposed and then moved from said first stack for processing; a plurality of second elements arranged in a second stack and corresponding with said photosensitive elements to define said film units, said second elements being superposable with said photosensitive elements after exposure to assist in the processing; a leader arrangement including a single pull means extending from said leading end of each film unit and movable between said pressure-applying members for effecting movement of one of said photosensitive and second elements into superposed relationship with the other and for then moving said elements when superposed between said members; and means releasably coupling said single pull means of one of said film units to said single pull means of another of said film units, prior to said movement of said elements into said superposed relationship, first for threading said single pull means of said one film unit between said pressure-applying members and then for releasing said single pull means of said one film unit from said coupling means and said single pull means of said another film unit in response to movement of said single pull means of said another film unit between said members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
258 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members; and an assemblage of self-processing film units, each having a leading end and adapted to be exposed and then processed by being moved, said leading end first, from said assemblage and between said pressure-applying members, said assemblage including: a plurality of photosensitive elements arranged in a first stack, said photosensitive elements being adapted to be exposed and then moved from said first stack for processing; a plurality of second elements arranged in a second stack and corresponding with said photosensitive elements to define said film units, said second elements being superposable with said photosensitive elements after exposure to assist in the processing; a leader arrangement including a single pull means extending from said leading end of each film unit and movable between said pressure-applying members for effecting movement of one of said photosensitive and second elements into superposed relationship with the other and for then moving said elements when superposed between said members; and means releasably coupling said single pull means of one of said film units to said single pull means of another of said film units, prior to said movement of said elements into said superposed relationship, first for threading said single pull means of said one film unit between said pressure-applying members and then for releasing said single pull means of said one film unit from said coupling means and said single pull means of said another film unit in response to movement of said single pull means of said another film unit between said members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
228 words
A film assemblage comprising: first and second self-processing film units, each having a Leading end and including a photosensitive element for recording a latent image and a process sheet for aiding in processing of the latent image; and a leader arrangement for sequentially transporting said film units, said first film unit first, from said assemblage, said leader arrangement including first single pull means, extending from the leading end of said first film unit and movable from said assemblage, for transporting said first film unit, said leading end thereof first, entirely from said assemblage, second single pull means, extending from the leading end of said second film unit and movable from said assemblage, for transporting said second film unit, said leading end thereof first, entirely from said assemblage, and means releasably coupling said second single pull means to said first single pull means, said coupling means having sufficient strength to move at least a portion of said second single pull means from said assemblage with said first single pull means during movement of said first single pull means from said assemblage but insufficient strength to transport said second film unit from said assemblage, said second single pull means being automatically released from said coupling means and said first film single pull means after said at least a portion of said second single pull means is moved from said assemblage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
228 words
A film assemblage comprising: first and second self-processing film units, each having a Leading end and including a photosensitive element for recording a latent image and a process sheet for aiding in processing of the latent image; and a leader arrangement for sequentially transporting said film units, said first film unit first, from said assemblage, said leader arrangement including first single pull means, extending from the leading end of said first film unit and movable from said assemblage, for transporting said first film unit, said leading end thereof first, entirely from said assemblage, second single pull means, extending from the leading end of said second film unit and movable from said assemblage, for transporting said second film unit, said leading end thereof first, entirely from said assemblage, and means releasably coupling said second single pull means to said first single pull means, said coupling means having sufficient strength to move at least a portion of said second single pull means from said assemblage with said first single pull means during movement of said first single pull means from said assemblage but insufficient strength to transport said second film unit from said assemblage, said second single pull means being automatically released from said coupling means and said first film single pull means after said at least a portion of said second single pull means is moved from said assemblage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A film assemblage as claimed in claim 10 wherein said second single pull means is releasably coupled to said first single pull means before said movement of said first single pull means is initiated.
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) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |