Photographic film assemblage and apparatus

Claim 2

A photographic film assemblage for use with a photographic apparatus of the type including means defining a chamber into which said film assemblage is adapted to be inserted and means on the apparatus positioned adjacent a path of travel of a film assemblage being inserted into the chamber for opening an end cap associated with said film assemblage, said film assemblage comprising: a film container having a withdrawal slot at one end thereof; a plurality of film units within said container adapted to be extracted therefrom through said withdrawal slot; and end cap means coupled to said container for movement between a closed position, wherein said end cap means is in alignment with and in closing relation to said withdrawal slot, and an open position wherein said end cap means is out of alignment with said withdrawal slot, said end cap means including a portion thereof configured to engage the end cap opening means on the apparatus for moving said end cap from said closed position to said open position in response to inserting said film assemblage into the chamber.

Claim 3

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein said film container includes side walls and said portion of said end cap extends outwardly beyond said side wall for engaging the end cap opening means as said film container is inserted into the chamber.

Claim 4

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 2 wherein said end cap portion is engaged by the end cap opening means when said container is partially inserted into said chamber such that further movement of said film container into said chamber results in the end cap opening means pivoting said end cap from said closed position to said open position.

Claim 5

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 further including a flexible opaque positioned between said end cap means and said withdrawal slot for light sealing said withdrawal slot.

Claim 6

A photographic film assmeblage as defined in claim 4 wherein one end of said flexible sheet is coupled to said container and said flexible sheet is dimensioned to extend over said withdrawal slot with an opposite free end thereof being held against said container by said end cap located in said closed position.

Claim 7

A photographic film assmeblage as defined in claim 5 wherein said flexible opaque sheet remains in closing relation to said withdrawal slot when said end cap means is moved to said open position.

Claim 8

photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 further including means for latching said end cap means in said closed position.

Claim 9

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for latching said end cap means in said closed position includes at least one recess in said end cap means adapted to receive at least one projection on Said container when said end cap means is located in said closed position.

Claim 10

A photographic film assemblage for use with a photographic apparatus of the type including means defining an opening in the apparatus through which said film assemblage is adapted to be inserted to locate said film assemblage at an operative position within the apparatus, said photographic film assemblage comprising: a container including a forward wall having a light-transmitting section therein, a pair of side walls depending from said forward wall, and an end wall cooperating with one end of said forward wall for defining a withdrawal slot therebetween at one end of said container; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within said container with the forwardmost film unit being adapted to be located at an exposure position wherein said forwardmost film unit is adjacent said forward wall with one end thereof adjacent said withdrawal slot; primary means for light sealing said withdrawal slot including a flexible, light opaque member having one end thereof fixidly attached to said container to position said member in alignment with and in closing relation to said withdrawal slot, the opposite end thereof being free to permit said member to be deflected out of alignment with said withdrawal slot by a film unit being advanced therethrough; and secondary means for light sealing said withdrawal slot including an end cap coupled to said container for movement between a closed position in which said end cap is positioned over said primary light sealing means and said withdrawal slot for holding said primary light sealing means in closing relation thereto and an open position in which said end cap is spaced from said primary light sealing means and said withdrawal slot and is positioned out of the path of travel of a film unit being advanced therethrough, said end cap being dimensioned to extend outwardly from said container side walls such that it may engage at least a portion of the means defining an opening in the photographic apparatus as said container is inserted therethrough for moving said end cap from its closed position to its open position in response to inserting said container into the photographic apparatus.

Claim 11

A photographic film assemblage for use with a photographic apparatus of the type including means defining an opening in the apparatus through which said film assemblage is adapted to be inserted to locate said film assemblage at an operative position within the apparatus, said photographic film assemblage comprising: a container including a forward wall having a light-transmitting section therein, a pair of side walls depending from said forward wall, and an end wall cooperating with one end of said forward wall for defining a withdrawal slot therebetween at one end of said container; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within said container with the forwardmost film unit being adapted to be located at an exposure position wherein said forwardmost film unit is adjacent said forward wall with one end thereof adjacent said withdrawal slot; primary means for light sealing said withdrawal slot including a flexible, light opaque member having one end thereof fixidly attached to said container to position said member in alignment with and in closing relation to said withdrawal slot, the opposite end thereof being free to permit said member to be deflected out of alignment with said withdrawal slot by a film unit being advanced therethrough; and secondary means for light sealing said withdrawal slot including an end cap coupled to said container for movement between a closed position in which said end cap is positioned over said primary light sealing means and said withdrawal slot for holding said primary light sealing means in closing relation thereto and an open position in which said end cap is spaced from said primary light sealing means and said withdrawal slot and is positioned out of the path of travel of a film unit being advanced therethrough, said end cap being dimensioned to extend outwardly from said container side walls such that it may engage at least a portion of the means defining an opening in the photographic apparatus as said container is inserted therethrough for moving said end cap from its closed position to its open position in response to inserting said container into the photographic apparatus.

Claim 12

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 9 wherein said end cap includes an integrally formed flange adapted to overlie said container side walls when said end cap is located in said closed position for engaging a portion of the means defining the opening in a photographic apparatus.

Claim 13

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 9 further including means for latching said end cap in said closed position.

Claim 14

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 9 wherein said flexible, light opaque member remains in closing relation to said withdrawal slot when said end cap is moved from said closed position to said open position.

Claim 15

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 9 wherein said flexible, light opaque member is dimensioned such that said free end thereof is held in overlying relation to said one end of said forward wall by said end cap located in said closed position.

Claim 16

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 9 wherein said end cap includes an integrally formed mounting section adapted to be secured to said container end wall for coupling said end cap to said container.

Claim 17

A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination: a container including a forward wall having a light-transmitting section therein and an end wall cooperating with one end of said forward wall for defining a withdrawal slot at one end of said container; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within said container with the forwardmost film unit being adapted to be located at an exposure position wherein said forwardmost film unit is positioned adjacent said forward wall with one end thereof adjacent said withdrawal slot; primary means for light sealing said withdrawal slOt including a flexible, light opaque member having one end thereof fixidly attached to said container to position said member in alignment with and in closing relation to said withdrawal slot, the opposite end of said member of alignment with said withdrawal slot by a film unit being advanced therethrough; and secondary means for light sealing said withdrawal slot including an end cap coupled to said container for movement between a closed position wherein said end cap is positioned over said primary light sealing means and said withdrawal slot for holding said primary light sealing means in closing relation to said withdrawal slot and an open position wherein said end cap is spaced from said primary light sealing means and said withdrawal slot and is positioned out of the path of travel of a film unit being advanced therethrough.

Claim 18

A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination: a container including a forward wall having a light-transmitting section therein and an end wall cooperating with one end of said forward wall for defining a withdrawal slot at one end of said container; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within said container with the forwardmost film unit being adapted to be located at an exposure position wherein said forwardmost film unit is positioned adjacent said forward wall with one end thereof adjacent said withdrawal slot; primary means for light sealing said withdrawal slOt including a flexible, light opaque member having one end thereof fixidly attached to said container to position said member in alignment with and in closing relation to said withdrawal slot, the opposite end of said member of alignment with said withdrawal slot by a film unit being advanced therethrough; and secondary means for light sealing said withdrawal slot including an end cap coupled to said container for movement between a closed position wherein said end cap is positioned over said primary light sealing means and said withdrawal slot for holding said primary light sealing means in closing relation to said withdrawal slot and an open position wherein said end cap is spaced from said primary light sealing means and said withdrawal slot and is positioned out of the path of travel of a film unit being advanced therethrough.

Claim 19

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 15 further including means for latching said end cap in said closed position.

Claim 20

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 16 wherein said end cap is coupled to said end wall of said container and is configured such that at least a portion of said end cap is positioned in overlying relation to said one end of said forward wall when said end cap is located in said closed position.

Claim 21

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 17 wherein said means for latching said end cap in said closed position includes at least one protrusion on said one end of said forward wall and at least one recess in said portion of said end cap into which said protrusion is adapted to extend to latch said end cap in said closed position.

Claim 22

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 15 wherein said flexible light opaque member is dimensioned such that said free end thereof is held in overlying relation to said one end of said forward wall by said end cap located in said closed position.

Claim 23

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 19 wherein said end cap includes an integrally formed mounting section adapted to be secured to said end wall for coupling said end cap to said container.

Claim 24

Photographic apparatus for use with a photographic film assemblage of the type including a film container housing a plurality of film units and having a withdrawal slot at one end thereof through which the film units may be extracted from the container and an end cap coupled to the container for movement between a closed position in which the end cap is in alignment with and in closing relation to the withdrawal slot and an open position in which the end cap is out of alignment with the withdrawal slot, the end cap being configured to include a portion extending outwardly from the container, said photographic apparatus comprising: a housing having a chamber therein into which the film container is adapted to be inserted; and means defining an opening in said housing through which the container may be inserted into said chamber, said means defining said opening including a portion located in the path of travel of the end cap portion extending outwardly from the container for engaging the end cap portion and moving the end cap from the closed position to the open position in response to inserting the film container into said chamber.

Claim 25

Photographic apparatus for use with a photographic film assemblage of the type including a film container housing a plurality of film units and having a withdrawal slot at one end thereof through which the film units may be extracted from the container and an end cap coupled to the container for movement between a closed position in which the end cap is in alignment with and in closing relation to the withdrawal slot and an open position in which the end cap is out of alignment with the withdrawal slot, the end cap being configured to include a portion extending outwardly from the container, said photographic apparatus comprising: a housing having a chamber therein into which the film container is adapted to be inserted; and means defining an opening in said housing through which the container may be inserted into said chamber, said means defining said opening including a portion located in the path of travel of the end cap portion extending outwardly from the container for engaging the end cap portion and moving the end cap from the closed position to the open position in response to inserting the film container into said chamber.

Claim 26

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 21 further including means for moving a partially inserted film container into its operative position within said chamber thereby causing said portion located in the path of travel of the end cap portion to engage the end cap portion and move the end cap from the closed position to the open position.

Claim 27

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said means for moving a partially inserted film container into said chamber is operable in response to preparing said apparatus for operation.

Claim 28

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 23 further including pressure applying means for processing a film unit, said pressure applying means being mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and said means for moving a partially inserted film container being operable for moving the film container into said chamber in response to moving said pressure applying means from said inoperative position to said operative position.

Claim 29

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein said means for moving a film container is configured to partially extract the film container from said chamber in response to moving said pressure applying means from said operative position to said inoperative position.

Claim 30

Photographic apparatus for use with a photographic film assemblage of the type including a film container holding a plurality of film units and having a withdrawal slot at one end thereof through which the film units may be extracted from the container and an end cap coupled to the container and extending outwardly therefrom for movement between a closed position in which the end cap is in alignment with and in closing relation to the withdrawal slot and an open position in which the end cap is out of alignment with the withdrawal slot, said photographic apparatus comprising: a first housing section including an open ended chamber for receiving and supporting a film container at an operative position therein; a second housing coupled to said first housing section for movement relative thereto between an operative position in which said second housing section is in closing relation to said open end of said chamber and an inoperative position in which said second housing section is spaced from said open end to permit a film container to be inserted into or extracted from said chamber; and means positioned in the path of travel of a film container end cap for engaging and moving the end cap from the closed position to the open position in response to locating the film container at its operative position within said chamber.

Claim 31

Photographic apparatus for use with a photographic film assemblage of the type including a film container holding a plurality of film units and having a withdrawal slot at one end thereof through which the film units may be extracted from the container and an end cap coupled to the container and extending outwardly therefrom for movement between a closed position in which the end cap is in alignment with and in closing relation to the withdrawal slot and an open position in which the end cap is out of alignment with the withdrawal slot, said photographic apparatus comprising: a first housing section including an open ended chamber for receiving and supporting a film container at an operative position therein; a second housing coupled to said first housing section for movement relative thereto between an operative position in which said second housing section is in closing relation to said open end of said chamber and an inoperative position in which said second housing section is spaced from said open end to permit a film container to be inserted into or extracted from said chamber; and means positioned in the path of travel of a film container end cap for engaging and moving the end cap from the closed position to the open position in response to locating the film container at its operative position within said chamber.

Claim 32

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 26 further including film container insertion means for moving a partially inserted film container into its operative position within said chamber such that said end cap is engaged and moved from the closed position to the open position by said means positioned in the path of travel of the end cap.

Claim 33

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein said film container insertion means is operable to move the film container into its operative position in response to moving said second housing section from said inoperative position to said operative position.

Claim 34

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said film container insertion means is configured to partially extract a film container from said chamber in response to moving said second housing section from said operative position to said inoperative position.

Claim 35

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 26 further including a third housing section coupled to said first housing section and said means positioned in the path of travel of a film container end cap includes means for coupling said third housing section to said first housing section.

Claim 36

Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage of the type including a film container holding a plurality of film units and having an exposure aperture and film unit withdrawal slot therein; said apparatus comprising: a housing having an open ended chamber therein for receiving and supporting a film container at an operative position; and film container insertion means for moving a partially inserted film container into said operative position.

Claim 37

Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage of the type including a film container holding a plurality of film units and having an exposure aperture and film unit withdrawal slot therein; said apparatus comprising: a housing having an open ended chamber therein for receiving and supporting a film container at an operative position; and film container insertion means for moving a partially inserted film container into said operative position.

Claim 38

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 31 further including processing means mounted for movement between an operative position wherein said processing means is located to receive a film unit as it is advanced from the container through the withdrawal slot and an inoperative position wherein said processing means is spaced from said open end of said chamber to permit a film container to be inserted into or extracted from said chamber, said film container insertiOn means being configured to move a partially inserted film container into its operative position in response to moving said processing means from said inoperative position to said operative position.

Claim 39

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said film container insertion means is configured to partially extract a film container from said chamber in response to moving said processing means from said operative position to said inoperative position.

Claim 40

Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein said film container insertion means is configured to partially extract a film container from said chamber.

Claim 41

A photographic system comprising: a photographic film assemblage including; a film container having a withdrawal slot at one end thereof; a plurality of film units within said container adapted to be extracted therefrom through said withdrawal slot; and end cap means coupled to said container for movement between a closed position, wherein said end cap is in alignment with and closing relation to said withdrawal slot, and an open position in which said end cap is out of alignment with said withdrawal slot, said end cap being configured to include a portion thereof extending outwardly from said container; in combination with photographic apparatus including; a housing having a chamber therein into which said film container is adapted to be inserted; and means defining an opening in said housing through which said container may be inserted into said chamber, said means defining said opening including means located in the path of travel of said end cap portion extending outwardly from said container for engaging said end cap portion and for moving said end cap from said closed position to said open position in response to inserting said film container into said chamber.

Claim 42

A photographic system comprising: a photographic film assemblage including; a film container having a withdrawal slot at one end thereof; a plurality of film units within said container adapted to be extracted therefrom through said withdrawal slot; and end cap means coupled to said container for movement between a closed position, wherein said end cap is in alignment with and closing relation to said withdrawal slot, and an open position in which said end cap is out of alignment with said withdrawal slot, said end cap being configured to include a portion thereof extending outwardly from said container; in combination with photographic apparatus including; a housing having a chamber therein into which said film container is adapted to be inserted; and means defining an opening in said housing through which said container may be inserted into said chamber, said means defining said opening including means located in the path of travel of said end cap portion extending outwardly from said container for engaging said end cap portion and for moving said end cap from said closed position to said open position in response to inserting said film container into said chamber.

Claim 43

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a container including a forward wall having a light transmitting section therein and an end wall cooperating with one end of said forward wall for defining a withdrawal slot at one end of said container; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within said container with a forwardmost film unit in said stack being adapted to be located at an exposure position wherein said forwardmost film unit is positioned adjacent said forward wall with one end thereof in alignment with said withdrawal slot; and means for covering said withdrawal slot including an end cap coupled to said container for movement between a closed position wherein said end cap is positioned in closing relation to said withdrawal slot and an open position wherein said end cap is spaced from said withdrawal slot and is positioned out of the path of a film unit being advanced therethrough.

Claim 44

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a container including a forward wall having a light transmitting section therein and an end wall cooperating with one end of said forward wall for defining a withdrawal slot at one end of said container; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within said container with a forwardmost film unit in said stack being adapted to be located at an exposure position wherein said forwardmost film unit is positioned adjacent said forward wall with one end thereof in alignment with said withdrawal slot; and means for covering said withdrawal slot including an end cap coupled to said container for movement between a closed position wherein said end cap is positioned in closing relation to said withdrawal slot and an open position wherein said end cap is spaced from said withdrawal slot and is positioned out of the path of a film unit being advanced therethrough.

Claim 45

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 36 further including means for coupling said end cap to said container, said coupling means including a coupling member secured to said end wall of said container below said withdrawal slot, said end cap being connected to said coupling means by means of an integrally formed hinge for movement between its said open and closed positions.

Claim 46

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a container including a forward wall having a light transmitting section therein and an end wall cooperating with one end of said forward wall for defining a withdrawal slot at one end of said container; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within said container with a forwardmost film unit in said stack being adapted to be located at an exposure position wherein said forwardmost film unit is positioned adjacent said forward wall with one end of said film unit in alignment with said withdrawal slot; and means for covering said withdral slot including a relatively stiff end cap coupled to said container in closing relation to said withdrawal slot, said end cap including a portion thereof configured to cooperate with external force applyiNg means for facilitating the movement of said end cap from its said closing relation with said withdrawal slot to uncover said withdrawal slot and permit a film unit to be advanced through said with-drawal slot.

Claim 47

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a container including a forward wall having a light transmitting section therein and an end wall cooperating with one end of said forward wall for defining a withdrawal slot at one end of said container; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within said container with a forwardmost film unit in said stack being adapted to be located at an exposure position wherein said forwardmost film unit is positioned adjacent said forward wall with one end of said film unit in alignment with said withdrawal slot; and means for covering said withdral slot including a relatively stiff end cap coupled to said container in closing relation to said withdrawal slot, said end cap including a portion thereof configured to cooperate with external force applyiNg means for facilitating the movement of said end cap from its said closing relation with said withdrawal slot to uncover said withdrawal slot and permit a film unit to be advanced through said with-drawal slot.

Claim 48

A film assemblage as defined in claim 38 wherein said end cap portion includes an integrally formed extension of said end cap extending beyond at least one wall of said container.

Claim 49

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a container including a forward wall having a light transmitting section therein and an end wall cooperating with one end of said forward wall for defining a withdrawal slot at one end of said container; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within said container with a forwardmost film unit in said stack being adapted to be located at an exposure position wherein said forwardmost film unit is position adjacent said forward wall with one end of said film unit in alignment with said withdrawal slot; and means for covering said withdrawal slot including a member having a lower section and an upper section secured to said lower section by an integrally formed connector, said lower section being secured to said end wall to position said upper section in closing relation to said withdrawal slot, said integrally formed connector facilitating movement of said upper section out of said closing relation with said withdrawal slot to permit a film unit to be advanced through said withdrawal slot.

Claim 50

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a container including a forward wall having a light transmitting section therein and an end wall cooperating with one end of said forward wall for defining a withdrawal slot at one end of said container; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within said container with a forwardmost film unit in said stack being adapted to be located at an exposure position wherein said forwardmost film unit is position adjacent said forward wall with one end of said film unit in alignment with said withdrawal slot; and means for covering said withdrawal slot including a member having a lower section and an upper section secured to said lower section by an integrally formed connector, said lower section being secured to said end wall to position said upper section in closing relation to said withdrawal slot, said integrally formed connector facilitating movement of said upper section out of said closing relation with said withdrawal slot to permit a film unit to be advanced through said withdrawal slot.