Patent JPS6325946A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3777647A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3777647A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographic apparatus and method for treating photographic materials with a liquid
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
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Filing: 1972-05-23
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-05-23
Abstract
Abstract Photographic apparatus for and method of processing an exposed area of a layer of photosensitive image-recording material by confining the layer between a pair of superposed sheets and distributing a processing liquid, e.g., having a viscosity approximating that of water, between the sheets in contact with the exposed area. The liquid is introduced into a region between the sheets defined by two parallel, spaced linear regions at least equal in length to the width of the exposed area at which compressive pressure is applied to the sheets by two pairs of pressure-applying members. The sheets are held together at the lateral edges of the exposed area to prevent escape of the processing liquid from between the sheets and the two pairs of pressure-applying members are moved relative to the sheets from one end of the exposed area to the other end to permit the liquid to be absorbed into the exposed area of the photosensitive material. During relative motion of the pressure-applying members and sheets, at least one pressure-applying member of each pair is biased toward the other pair to reduce the spacing between the linear regions and maintain the liquid under pressure as it is absorbed by the photosensitive material. The processing liquid is supplied from a rupturable container attached to the sheets at one end of the exposed area and excess processing liquid overrun is collected in an absorbant trap at the opposite end of the exposed area by relieving the pressure exerted on the sheets.
Inventors
- 👤 E Land
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:30
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D9/00; G03D9/02; G03D9/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
The method of treating an exposed area of a photosensitive layer to form a photographic image comprising the steps of: supporting said layer between a pair of superposed sheets on one of said sheets; locating pairs of juxtaposed members in compressive engagement with spaced apart linear portions of said sheets extending at least from side to side of said area, said linear portions defining the sides of a region between said sheets including an extremity of said exposed area; introducing a liquid processing agent into said region between said sheets capable of processing said photosensitive layer to form an image; retaining said sheets together at the ends of said region to prevent escape of said liquid therefrom; moving said pairs of juxtaposed members relative to and in engagement with said sheets toward the opposite extremity of said area to contact all portions of said area with said liquid contained in said region between said sheets; and while moving said pairs of juxtaposed members relative to said photsensitive layer, moving one of said pairs of members toward the other to generate and maintain hydraulic pressure within said liquid within said region sufficient to hold the facing surface of said sheets apart from one another throughout the extent of said region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
209 words
The method of treating an exposed area of a photosensitive layer to form a photographic image comprising the steps of: supporting said layer between a pair of superposed sheets on one of said sheets; locating pairs of juxtaposed members in compressive engagement with spaced apart linear portions of said sheets extending at least from side to side of said area, said linear portions defining the sides of a region between said sheets including an extremity of said exposed area; introducing a liquid processing agent into said region between said sheets capable of processing said photosensitive layer to form an image; retaining said sheets together at the ends of said region to prevent escape of said liquid therefrom; moving said pairs of juxtaposed members relative to and in engagement with said sheets toward the opposite extremity of said area to contact all portions of said area with said liquid contained in said region between said sheets; and while moving said pairs of juxtaposed members relative to said photsensitive layer, moving one of said pairs of members toward the other to generate and maintain hydraulic pressure within said liquid within said region sufficient to hold the facing surface of said sheets apart from one another throughout the extent of said region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of biasing at least one of said pairs of members toward the other pair of members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 further including the step Of biasing said one pair of members toward said other pair of members with a substantially constant force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 further including the step of biasing the members of at least one pair toward one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of locating said members in compressive engagement with spaced-apart linear portions of a container having a liquid-filled cavity coupled with one of said sheets and causing relative motion between said members and said container and said sheets to eject said liquid from said container between said sheets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 5 further including the steps of spacing said members of said one pair apart, moving said container relative to and between said spaced-apart members to locate the liquid-filled cavity of said container between said pairs of juxtaposed members and moving said members of said one pair into compressive engagement with said container prior to relative motion of said container and said members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 6 further including the steps of rotating at least one of said members of said other pair of members in engagement with said container to cause relative motion between said members and said container and said sheets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of rotating at least one of said members of said pair spaced from the other of said pairs in the direction of motion of said sheets relative to said members to cause relative movement between said members and said sheets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein relative motion of said members and said sheets is continued at least until both of said pairs of said members have passed beyond said opposite extremity of said exposed area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said sheets are maintained in face-to-face contact for a predetermined period following relative motion of said pairs of members past said opposite extremity of said exposed area and at the end of said period, at least the portions of said sheets including said area are separated from one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 9 further including the steps of spacing said members of one of said pair of members apart as they pass beyond said opposite extremity of said exposed area to collect liquid overrun between said sheets ahead of said members of the other pair.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 11 further including rotating at least one of said members of said other pair to cause relative motion between said members and said sheets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid processing agent is introduced between said sheets with a viscosity substantially the same as water.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
214 words
The method of treating an exposed area of a photsensitive layer to form a photographic image comprising the steps of: supporting said layer between a pair of superposed sheets on one of said sheets; locating a pair of members in compressive engagement with spaced apart linear portions of said sheets extending at least from side to side of said area, said linear portions defining the sides of a region between said sheets including an extremity of said exposed area; introducing a liquid processing agent into said region between said sheets capable of processing said photosensitive layer to form an image; retaining said sheets together at the ends of said region to prevent escape of said liquid therefrom; moving said pair of members relative to and in engagement with said sheets toward the opposite extremity of said area to contact all portions of said area with said liquid contained in said region between said sheets; and while moving said pair of members relative to said photosensitive layer, moving at least one member of said pair of members toward the other member of said pair to generate and maintain hydraulic pressure within said liquid within said region sufficient to hold the facing surfaces of said sheets apart from one another throughout the extent of said region.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
214 words
The method of treating an exposed area of a photsensitive layer to form a photographic image comprising the steps of: supporting said layer between a pair of superposed sheets on one of said sheets; locating a pair of members in compressive engagement with spaced apart linear portions of said sheets extending at least from side to side of said area, said linear portions defining the sides of a region between said sheets including an extremity of said exposed area; introducing a liquid processing agent into said region between said sheets capable of processing said photosensitive layer to form an image; retaining said sheets together at the ends of said region to prevent escape of said liquid therefrom; moving said pair of members relative to and in engagement with said sheets toward the opposite extremity of said area to contact all portions of said area with said liquid contained in said region between said sheets; and while moving said pair of members relative to said photosensitive layer, moving at least one member of said pair of members toward the other member of said pair to generate and maintain hydraulic pressure within said liquid within said region sufficient to hold the facing surfaces of said sheets apart from one another throughout the extent of said region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
221 words
Photographic apparatus for treating a photosensItive film unit by distributing a liquid processing agent to process a photosensitive layer located between a pair of superposed sheets to form an image between said sheets, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a first pair of pressure members for applying compressive pressure to a first linear region of a photographic film unit engaged between said members; a second pair of juxtaposed pressure members for applying compressive pressure to a second linear region of a film unit engaged between said members of said second pair; means for causing relative movement between a film unit and said pressure members of said first and second pairs; and mounted means for supporting said first and second pairs of pressure members in position to simultaneously apply compressive pressure to the first and second linear regions of a film unit, the first and second linear regions being spaced from each other, said mounting means supporting at least one pressure member of one of said pairs for movement relative to one pressure member of said other pair to vary the spacing between said linear regions to maintain hydraulic pressure within a liquid processing agent located between said linear regions sufficient to hold the facing surfaces of the sheets apart from one another throughout the extent of the spacings between said linear regions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
221 words
Photographic apparatus for treating a photosensItive film unit by distributing a liquid processing agent to process a photosensitive layer located between a pair of superposed sheets to form an image between said sheets, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a first pair of pressure members for applying compressive pressure to a first linear region of a photographic film unit engaged between said members; a second pair of juxtaposed pressure members for applying compressive pressure to a second linear region of a film unit engaged between said members of said second pair; means for causing relative movement between a film unit and said pressure members of said first and second pairs; and mounted means for supporting said first and second pairs of pressure members in position to simultaneously apply compressive pressure to the first and second linear regions of a film unit, the first and second linear regions being spaced from each other, said mounting means supporting at least one pressure member of one of said pairs for movement relative to one pressure member of said other pair to vary the spacing between said linear regions to maintain hydraulic pressure within a liquid processing agent located between said linear regions sufficient to hold the facing surfaces of the sheets apart from one another throughout the extent of the spacings between said linear regions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said mounting means support said first and second pairs of pressure members in position to apply compressive pressure to substantially parallel spaced linear regions of a film unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein at least one of said one pressure members is a roller and further including means for rotating said roller in engagement with a film unit to move the latter relative to said pressure members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
217 words
Photographic apparatus for treating a photosensitive film unit by distributing a liquid processing agent to process a photosensitive layer located between a pair of superposed sheets to form an image between said sheets, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a first pair of pressure members for applying compressive pressure to a first linear region of a photographic film unit engaged between said members; a second pair of juxtaposed pressure members for applying compressive pressure to a second linear region of a film unit engaged between said members of said second pair; mounting means for supporting said first and second pairs of pressure members in position to simultaneously apply compressive pressure to the first and second linear regions of a film unit, the first and second linear regions being spaced from each other, said mounting means supporting at least one pressure member of one of said pairs for movement relative to one pressure member of said other pair to vary the spacing between said linear regions; means for causing movement of a film unit relative to and between said pressure members of said first and second pairs; and resilient means for biasing at least said one pressure member of said one pair toward said one pressure member of said other pair to reduce the spacing between said linear regions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
217 words
Photographic apparatus for treating a photosensitive film unit by distributing a liquid processing agent to process a photosensitive layer located between a pair of superposed sheets to form an image between said sheets, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a first pair of pressure members for applying compressive pressure to a first linear region of a photographic film unit engaged between said members; a second pair of juxtaposed pressure members for applying compressive pressure to a second linear region of a film unit engaged between said members of said second pair; mounting means for supporting said first and second pairs of pressure members in position to simultaneously apply compressive pressure to the first and second linear regions of a film unit, the first and second linear regions being spaced from each other, said mounting means supporting at least one pressure member of one of said pairs for movement relative to one pressure member of said other pair to vary the spacing between said linear regions; means for causing movement of a film unit relative to and between said pressure members of said first and second pairs; and resilient means for biasing at least said one pressure member of said one pair toward said one pressure member of said other pair to reduce the spacing between said linear regions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said mounting means support said pressure members of at least said first pair for relative motion toward and away from one another.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 19 further including second resilient means for biasing said pressure members of said first pair toward one another into compressive engagement with the first linear region of a film unit engaged therebetween.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 20 further including means for releasably retaining said pressure members of said first pair in spaced apart relation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 20 further including means for spacing apart said pressure members of said first pair and releasably retaining said pressure members in spaced apart relation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said one pressure member of said first pair is a roller and further including means for rotating said roller in engagement with a film unit to advance said film unit relative to and between said pressure members of said first and second pairs.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 18 further including means for moving said one pressure members apart from one another against the bias of said resilient means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 24 further including means for releasably retaining said one pressure member of each pair apart from one another.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 25 further including second resilient means for biasing said pressure members of said first pair toward one another into compressive engagement with the first region of a film unit engaged therebetween.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 26 further including means releasably retaining said pressure members of said first pair in spaced apart relation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 27 further including means for releasing said pressure members of said first pair for movement toward one another under the bias of said second resilient means and thereafter releasing said one pressure members for relative motion toward one another under the bias of said first mentioned resilient means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
198 words
Photographic apparatus for treating a photographic film unit to form an image within said film unit by distributing a liquid processing agent to process a photosensitive layer located between a pair of superposed sheets, said apparatus comprising, in combination: first pressure means for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a first linear region of a photographic film unit; second pressure means for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a second linear region of said photographic film unit; mounting means for supporting said first and second pressure means in position to simultaneously apply compressive pressure to the first and second linear regions of a film unit, the first and second linear regions being spaced from each other, said mounting means supporting said first pressure means for movement relative to said second pressure means to vary the spacing between said linear regions to maintain hydraulic pressure within a liquid processing agent located between said linear regions sufficient to hold the facing surfaces of the sheets apart from one another throughout the extent of the spacing between said linear regions; and means for causing motion of a film unit relative to and in engagement with said first and second pressure means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
198 words
Photographic apparatus for treating a photographic film unit to form an image within said film unit by distributing a liquid processing agent to process a photosensitive layer located between a pair of superposed sheets, said apparatus comprising, in combination: first pressure means for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a first linear region of a photographic film unit; second pressure means for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a second linear region of said photographic film unit; mounting means for supporting said first and second pressure means in position to simultaneously apply compressive pressure to the first and second linear regions of a film unit, the first and second linear regions being spaced from each other, said mounting means supporting said first pressure means for movement relative to said second pressure means to vary the spacing between said linear regions to maintain hydraulic pressure within a liquid processing agent located between said linear regions sufficient to hold the facing surfaces of the sheets apart from one another throughout the extent of the spacing between said linear regions; and means for causing motion of a film unit relative to and in engagement with said first and second pressure means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said mounting means support said first and second pressure means in position to apply compressive pressure to substantially parallel linear regions of a film unit.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein at least one of said pressure means includes a roller and said apparatus further includes means for rotating said roller in engagement with a film unit to move the latter relative to said pressure means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
69 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said second pressure means include a pair of juxtaposed pressure members movable toward and apart from one another and resilient means for biasing said pressure members toward one another to apply compressive pressure to the second linear region of a film unit engaged therebetween, and said apparatus further includes retaining means for releasably holding said pressure members in spaced apart relation.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 32 further including means for spacing said pressure members apart from one another.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
182 words
Photographic apparatus for treating a photographic film unit to form an image within said film unit by distributing a liquid processing agent to process a photosensitive layer located between a pair of superposed sheets, said Apparatus comprising, in combination: first pressure means for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a first linear region of a photographic film unit; second pressure means for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a second linear region of said photographic film unit; mounting means for supporting said first and second pressure means in position to simultaneously apply compressive pressure to the first and second linear regions of a film unit, the first and second linear regions being spaced from each other, said mounting means supporting said first pressure means for movement relative to said second pressure means to vary the spacing between said linear regions; means for causing motion of a film unit relative to and in engagement with said first and second pressure means; and resilient means for biasing said first and second pressure means toward one another to reduce the spacing between said linear regions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
182 words
Photographic apparatus for treating a photographic film unit to form an image within said film unit by distributing a liquid processing agent to process a photosensitive layer located between a pair of superposed sheets, said Apparatus comprising, in combination: first pressure means for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a first linear region of a photographic film unit; second pressure means for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a second linear region of said photographic film unit; mounting means for supporting said first and second pressure means in position to simultaneously apply compressive pressure to the first and second linear regions of a film unit, the first and second linear regions being spaced from each other, said mounting means supporting said first pressure means for movement relative to said second pressure means to vary the spacing between said linear regions; means for causing motion of a film unit relative to and in engagement with said first and second pressure means; and resilient means for biasing said first and second pressure means toward one another to reduce the spacing between said linear regions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 34 further including means for effecting relative motion of said first and second pressure means apart from one another.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 35 further including means for releasably retaining said first and second pressure means apart from one another.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
219 words
Photographic apparatus for treating a photographic film unit to form an image within said film unit by distributing a liquid processing agent to process a photosensitive layer located between a pair of superposed sheets, said apparatus comprising, in combination: first pressure means for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a first linear region of a photographic film unit; second pressure means including a pair of juxtaposed pressure members movable toward and apart from one another for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a second linear region of said photographic film unit; first resilient means for biasing said pressure members toward one another; retaining means for holding said pressure members in spaced apart relation; mounting means for supporting said first and second pressure means in position to simultaneously apply compressive pressure to the first and second linear regions of a film unit, the first and second linear regions being spaced from each other, said mounting means supporting said first pressure means for movement relative to said second pressure means to vary the spacing between said linear regions; second resilient means for biasing said first and second pressure means toward one another to reduce the spacing between said linear regions; and means for causing motion of a film unit relative to and in engagement with said first and second pressure means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
219 words
Photographic apparatus for treating a photographic film unit to form an image within said film unit by distributing a liquid processing agent to process a photosensitive layer located between a pair of superposed sheets, said apparatus comprising, in combination: first pressure means for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a first linear region of a photographic film unit; second pressure means including a pair of juxtaposed pressure members movable toward and apart from one another for engaging and applying compressive pressure to a second linear region of said photographic film unit; first resilient means for biasing said pressure members toward one another; retaining means for holding said pressure members in spaced apart relation; mounting means for supporting said first and second pressure means in position to simultaneously apply compressive pressure to the first and second linear regions of a film unit, the first and second linear regions being spaced from each other, said mounting means supporting said first pressure means for movement relative to said second pressure means to vary the spacing between said linear regions; second resilient means for biasing said first and second pressure means toward one another to reduce the spacing between said linear regions; and means for causing motion of a film unit relative to and in engagement with said first and second pressure means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 37 further including retaining means for releasably holding said first and second pressure means in spaced apart relation.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
50 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 38 further including advancement means for effecting relative motion between said first and second pressure means and a film unit to advance the leading end portion of the film unit relative to and between said pressure members into engagement with said first pressure means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
44 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 39 wherein said advancement means include means for releasing said pressure members for movement toward one another into compressive engagement with a film unit and thereafter releasing said first and second pressure means for movement toward one another.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 40 wherein said advancement means further include means for spacing said first and second pressure means apart from one another.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
57 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 41 wherein said first pressure means include a roller for engaging the first linear region of a film unit and said apparatus includes means for rotating said roller in engagement with a film unit to move the film unit relative to and in engagement with said first and sEcond pressure means.
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) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |