Photographic apparatus

Claim 2

Photographic apparatus adapted to initiate processing of a self-processing film unit, the film unit including an imagerecording section of the preregistered integral type having an end portion and a substantially planar surface, the film unit further including means coupled to the end portion of the imagerecording section for containing a processing fluid, said apparatus comprising: means engageable with the containing means for effecting application of the processing fluid to the image-recording section; and means, engageable with the containing means after the application of the processing fluid to the image-recording section has been effected, for moving the containing means into contact with the planar surface of the image-recording section.

Claim 3

A photographic camera adapted to effect an exposure and to initiate processing of a self-processing film unit, the film unit including an image-recording section having an image portion for recording a processable latent image and a border portion adjacent to the image portion, a supply section having a processing fluid applicable to the image-recording section for processing the latent image, and means coupling the supply section to the border portion of the image-recording section, said camera comprising: means for effecting the exposure; juxtaposed pressure-applying members, engageable with the supply section after the exposure has been effected, for initiating the processing by effecting application of the processing fluid to the image-recording section; and means, engageable with the supply section after the application of the processing fluid to the image-recording section has been effected, for moving the supply section into contact with the image portion of the image-recording section.

Claim 4

A photographic camera adapted to effect an exposure and to initiate processing of a self-processing film unit, the film unit including an image-recording section having an image portion for recording a processable latent image and a border portion adjacent to the image portion, a supply section having a processing fluid applicable to the image-recording section for processing the latent image, and means coupling the supply section to the border portion of the image-recording section, said camera comprising: means for effecting the exposure; juxtaposed pressure-applying members, engageable with the supply section after the exposure has been effected, for initiating the processing by effecting application of the processing fluid to the image-recording section; and means, engageable with the supply section after the application of the processing fluid to the image-recording section has been effected, for moving the supply section into contact with the image portion of the image-recording section.

Claim 5

A processing camera adapted to effect an exposure of, and to initiate processing of, a self-processing film unit, the film unit including first and second relatively foldable sections, said camera comprising: means for receiving the film unit in a position suitable for the exposure; a film transporting mechanism including means for moving the film unit from its exposure position along an exit path to a position accessible from outside said camera; and a folding mechanism including means, engageable with the first film unit section and movable from a first position at one side of said path to a second position at a side of said path opposite to said one side, for moving the first film unit section out of said path to fold the first film unit section relative to the second film unit section as the film unit is transported along said path by said moving means.

Claim 6

A processing camera adapted to effect an exposure of, and to initiate processing of, a self-processing film unit, the film unit including first and second relatively foldable sections, said camera comprising: means for receiving the film unit in a position suitable for the exposure; a film transporting mechanism including means for moving the film unit from its exposure position along an exit path to a position accessible from outside said camera; and a folding mechanism including means, engageable with the first film unit section and movable from a first position at one side of said path to a second position at a side of said path opposite to said one side, for moving the first film unit section out of said path to fold the first film unit section relative to the second film unit section as the film unit is transported along said path by said moving means.

Claim 7

A processing camera as claimed in claim 3 further comprising means cooperable with said folding mechanism and engageable with the film unit for holding the film unit in its accessible position after the first film unit section has been folded relative to the second film unit section.

Claim 8

Photographic apparatus for use with a film unit including a pair of relatively stiff planar sections, the planar sections of the film unit being slidably movable and foldable relative to each other, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving the film unit with the planar sections in substantially superposed relationship to each other; means for transporting the film unit from the receiving means along an exit path first by sliding one planar section relative to and into coplanar relationship with the other planar section and then by effecting movement of both planar sections in unison; and means movable across said exit path during said movement of both planar sections in unison or folding the one planar section relative to and into superposed relationship with the other planar section.

Claim 9

Photographic apparatus for use with a film unit including a pair of relatively stiff planar sections, the planar sections of the film unit being slidably movable and foldable relative to each other, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving the film unit with the planar sections in substantially superposed relationship to each other; means for transporting the film unit from the receiving means along an exit path first by sliding one planar section relative to and into coplanar relationship with the other planar section and then by effecting movement of both planar sections in unison; and means movable across said exit path during said movement of both planar sections in unison or folding the one planar section relative to and into superposed relationship with the other planar section.

Claim 10

A handling mechanism for use with a self-processing film unit including first and second relatively foldable sections defining lateral edges, said mechanism comprising: means for effecting movement of the film unit with its first and second sections in substantially coplanar relationship along a predetermined path; and means movable across said path during said movement of the film unit for folding the first film unit section into superposition with the second film unit section, said folding means including means for aligning the lateral edges of the film unit sections as the first section is folded into superposition with the second section.

Claim 11

A handling mechanism for use with a self-processing film unit including first and second relatively foldable sections defining lateral edges, said mechanism comprising: means for effecting movement of the film unit with its first and second sections in substantially coplanar relationship along a predetermined path; and means movable across said path during said movement of the film unit for folding the first film unit section into superposition with the second film unit section, said folding means including means for aligning the lateral edges of the film unit sections as the first section is folded into superposition with the second section.

Claim 12

Photographic apparatus for handling a flexible self-processing film unit, said apparatus comprising: a housing; means for effecting movement of the film unit along an exit path from a first location within said housing to a second location at least partially without said housing; a member engageable with the film unit and movable from a first position on one side of said path to a second position on another side of said path opposite to said first side; means for moving said member from said first position to said second position in coordination with and during said movement of the film unit along said path; and means adjacent to said first position of said member and cooperable with said member for retaining the film unit in said second location.

Claim 13

Photographic apparatus for handling a flexible self-processing film unit, said apparatus comprising: a housing; means for effecting movement of the film unit along an exit path from a first location within said housing to a second location at least partially without said housing; a member engageable with the film unit and movable from a first position on one side of said path to a second position on another side of said path opposite to said first side; means for moving said member from said first position to said second position in coordination with and during said movement of the film unit along said path; and means adjacent to said first position of said member and cooperable with said member for retaining the film unit in said second location.