Method and apparatus for printing and processing thermal film

Claim 3

The method according to claim 1 in which the fixing step includes maintaining the developed film in contact with a cooling drum, and disposing a light source adjacent to the portion of the developed film which contacts the cooling drum so the light source irradiates the portion of the developed film which is held in intimate contact with the cooling drum.

Claim 4

The method according to claim 1 including moving the two films in overlapping relation as they are expOsed to said light source, and producing a suction along both longitudinal edges of the overlapping films as they are exposed to the light source to prevent air from seeping in between the films during exposure.

Claim 5

In a film printer and processor for transferring images onto a radiation-sensitive film from a separate master film, the combination comprising a first light-source, means for moving the radiation-sensitive film and the master film together for exposure to the first light source, means for developing the exposed radiation-sensitive film, and means for fixing the developed film to desensitize it to further irradiation, the fixing means including means for moving the developed film along a fixed path in intimate physical contact with an elongated surface for cooling the film, and a second light source adjacent the fixed path for subjecting the developed film to radiation to fix the developed film as it is cooled.

Claim 6

In a film printer and processor for transferring images onto a radiation-sensitive film from a separate master film, the combination comprising a first light-source, means for moving the radiation-sensitive film and the master film together for exposure to the first light source, means for developing the exposed radiation-sensitive film, and means for fixing the developed film to desensitize it to further irradiation, the fixing means including means for moving the developed film along a fixed path in intimate physical contact with an elongated surface for cooling the film, and a second light source adjacent the fixed path for subjecting the developed film to radiation to fix the developed film as it is cooled.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 4 in which the surface for cooling the developed film comprises a cooling drum, and including means for holding the developed film in intimate contact with the cooling drum as the developed film moves along the fixed path, the second light source being positioned adjacent to the portion of the developed film which contacts the cooling drum so as to subject said portion to irradiation.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 4 in which the second light source is movable in and out of position for subjecting the developed film to radiation during fixing.

Claim 9

The combination according to claim 4 in which the radiation-sensitive film and master film are moved in overlapping relation along a fixed path for exposure to the first light source, and including means for producing a suction adjacent to both edges of the overlapping films as they pass along the path adjacent the first light source to prevent air from seeping in between the films during exposure.

Claim 10

A film printing and processing system for transferring images onto a radiation-sensitive film from a separate master film, each of the two films having opposed longitudinal edges spaced apart by a known width, the system including a light source, support means disposed above the light source for maintaining the two films in a freely suspended overlapping relationship extending along an elongated fixed path for exposure to the light source, the support means including a transverse entrance guide roller defining an entrance boundary of the exposure path, a transverse exit guide roller spaced longitudinally from the entrance guide roller and defining an exit boundary of the exposure path, the two guide rollers having a width substantially as wide as the two films, and means for moving the two films lengthwise along the exposure path in pressure contact with the entrance and exit guide rollers for exposure to the light source to irradiate the radiation-sensitive film, the two films being freely suspended between the guide rollers and being maintained in intimate overlapping contact continuously for their entire width along the exposure path, with the entire width of the two films being exposed to the light source, a pinch roller at the entrance boundary for cooperating with the entrance guide roller to apply pressure to the two films as they pass over the entrance roller to squeeze air from between the two films prior to their movement along the fixed path, a pair of hollow vacuum housings extending lengthwise along the opposite longitudinal edges of the two films and spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the width of the two films, the housings having respective elongated slotted openings extending adjacent to the opposite longitudinal edges of the two films, each slotted opening extending continuously from the film point of pressure contact with the entrance guide roller to the film point of pressure contact with the exit guide roller, and means applying a continuous uninterrupted suction to both overlapping longitudinal edges of the two films via the slotted openings for a distance extending continuously from the entrance boundary to the exit boundary of the exposure path to prevent air from seeping in between the two films during exposure to the light source, the two films being in pressure contact only with the exit guide roller as they exit the exposure path, said pressure contact being arranged to prevent air from seeping back in between the films prior to when they exit the exposure path.

Claim 11

A film printing and processing system for transferring images onto a radiation-sensitive film from a separate master film, each of the two films having opposed longitudinal edges spaced apart by a known width, the system including a light source, support means disposed above the light source for maintaining the two films in a freely suspended overlapping relationship extending along an elongated fixed path for exposure to the light source, the support means including a transverse entrance guide roller defining an entrance boundary of the exposure path, a transverse exit guide roller spaced longitudinally from the entrance guide roller and defining an exit boundary of the exposure path, the two guide rollers having a width substantially as wide as the two films, and means for moving the two films lengthwise along the exposure path in pressure contact with the entrance and exit guide rollers for exposure to the light source to irradiate the radiation-sensitive film, the two films being freely suspended between the guide rollers and being maintained in intimate overlapping contact continuously for their entire width along the exposure path, with the entire width of the two films being exposed to the light source, a pinch roller at the entrance boundary for cooperating with the entrance guide roller to apply pressure to the two films as they pass over the entrance roller to squeeze air from between the two films prior to their movement along the fixed path, a pair of hollow vacuum housings extending lengthwise along the opposite longitudinal edges of the two films and spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the width of the two films, the housings having respective elongated slotted openings extending adjacent to the opposite longitudinal edges of the two films, each slotted opening extending continuously from the film point of pressure contact with the entrance guide roller to the film point of pressure contact with the exit guide roller, and means applying a continuous uninterrupted suction to both overlapping longitudinal edges of the two films via the slotted openings for a distance extending continuously from the entrance boundary to the exit boundary of the exposure path to prevent air from seeping in between the two films during exposure to the light source, the two films being in pressure contact only with the exit guide roller as they exit the exposure path, said pressure contact being arranged to prevent air from seeping back in between the films prior to when they exit the exposure path.

Claim 12

The system according to claim 8 in which said pressure contact at the exit guide roller is produced by means for guiding both films in the same general direction after they pass over the exit guide roller to produce an angular deviation of the films relative to the plane of the fixed path and thereby prevent air from seeping in between them as they exit said fixed path.