US3801198A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for automatic half-tone (direct-screen) or continuous tone colour separation work in photomechanical reproduction
Assignee: LOGABAX
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Filing: 1971-11-30
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1991-11-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for making color separation negatives comprises a photographic enlarger mounted on a light-tight casing. The enlarger comprises a film holder plate for receiving a color film, a lens system, a diaphragm and a shutter. A light source is provided above the film holder plate and means is provided for inserting interchangeable color filters between the light source and the film. A film holder table in the casing receives a single sheet of film large enough for four separation negatives and is movable so as to present the four quarters of the film sheet successively to the enlarger. The movement of the film holder table, the filter selection, the diaphragm opening and the shutter timing are all automatically controlled to make four separation negatives successively on the same film sheet. The exposure of the film can be modified by a timed exposure to an auxiliary light movable momentarily into position over the respective quarter of the film sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 M David
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:02
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F3/00; G03F3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
An apparatus for making a plurality of enlarged color separation negatives from a color original, comprising a lighttight casing having upper, lower and lateral walls, a door provided in one of said lateral walls, a window provided in said upper wall, an original holder plate mounted in said window, a light-box mounted externally of said casing and above said original holder plate, a filter carrier adapted to receive a plurality of separation color filters, said filter carrier being mounted outside of said casing and being movable for insertion of a selected one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate, an enlarging optical system comprising a lens having a predetermined optical field, plus a diaphragm and a shutter adapted on said lens, a film holder plate, said optical system and said film holder plate being mounted inside of said casing one above the other and being vertically movable for adjustment thereof at respective selected levels under said original holder plate, a film carrier with a same plurality of separate areas each having a form and size adapted to the optical field of said lens, a single film having a same plurality of separate areas for recording thereon the respective separation negatives, said single film being placed on said film carrier with the respective film areas positioned in substantial registration with the respective areas of said film carrier, and said film carrier being mounted on said film holder plate to be movable thereon, and means for moving said film carrier on said film holder plate through successive positions, in which said carrier areas are successively inserted in the optical field on said lens, each of said positions corresponding to insertion of a respective one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
299 words
An apparatus for making a plurality of enlarged color separation negatives from a color original, comprising a lighttight casing having upper, lower and lateral walls, a door provided in one of said lateral walls, a window provided in said upper wall, an original holder plate mounted in said window, a light-box mounted externally of said casing and above said original holder plate, a filter carrier adapted to receive a plurality of separation color filters, said filter carrier being mounted outside of said casing and being movable for insertion of a selected one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate, an enlarging optical system comprising a lens having a predetermined optical field, plus a diaphragm and a shutter adapted on said lens, a film holder plate, said optical system and said film holder plate being mounted inside of said casing one above the other and being vertically movable for adjustment thereof at respective selected levels under said original holder plate, a film carrier with a same plurality of separate areas each having a form and size adapted to the optical field of said lens, a single film having a same plurality of separate areas for recording thereon the respective separation negatives, said single film being placed on said film carrier with the respective film areas positioned in substantial registration with the respective areas of said film carrier, and said film carrier being mounted on said film holder plate to be movable thereon, and means for moving said film carrier on said film holder plate through successive positions, in which said carrier areas are successively inserted in the optical field on said lens, each of said positions corresponding to insertion of a respective one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said film carrier is movable in two perpendicular directions on said film holder plate.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
326 words
An apparatus for making a plurality of enlarged color separation negatives from a color original, comprising a light-tight casing having upper, lower and lateral walls, a door provided in one of said lateral walls, a window provided in said upper wall, an original holder plate mounted in said window, a light-box mounted externally of said casing and above said original holder plate, a filter carrier adapted to receive a plurality of separation color filters, said filter carrier being mounted outside of said casing, electromotor means for selecting one of the color filters received in said filter carrier and for moving the selected filter to a working position between said light-box and said original holder plate, an enlarging optical system comprising a lens having a predetermined optical field, plus an adjustable diaphragm and a shutter adapted on said lens, electromotor means for adjusting said diaphragm, means for opening said shutter during adjustable, accurately determined exposure times, a film holder plate, said optical system and said film holder plate being mounted inside of said casing one above the other, and being vertically movable for adjustment thereof at respective selected levels under said original holder plate, a film carrier with a same plurality of separate areas each having a form and size adapted to the optical field of said lens, a single film having a same plurality of separate areas for recording thereon the respective separation negatives, said single film being placed on said film carrier with the respective film areas positioned in substantial registration with the respective areas of said film carrier, and said film carrier being Movably mounted on said film holder plate, and electromotor means for moving said film carrier on said film holder plate through successive positions in which said carrier areas are successively inserted in the optical field of said lens, each of said positions corresponding to insertion of a respective one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
326 words
An apparatus for making a plurality of enlarged color separation negatives from a color original, comprising a light-tight casing having upper, lower and lateral walls, a door provided in one of said lateral walls, a window provided in said upper wall, an original holder plate mounted in said window, a light-box mounted externally of said casing and above said original holder plate, a filter carrier adapted to receive a plurality of separation color filters, said filter carrier being mounted outside of said casing, electromotor means for selecting one of the color filters received in said filter carrier and for moving the selected filter to a working position between said light-box and said original holder plate, an enlarging optical system comprising a lens having a predetermined optical field, plus an adjustable diaphragm and a shutter adapted on said lens, electromotor means for adjusting said diaphragm, means for opening said shutter during adjustable, accurately determined exposure times, a film holder plate, said optical system and said film holder plate being mounted inside of said casing one above the other, and being vertically movable for adjustment thereof at respective selected levels under said original holder plate, a film carrier with a same plurality of separate areas each having a form and size adapted to the optical field of said lens, a single film having a same plurality of separate areas for recording thereon the respective separation negatives, said single film being placed on said film carrier with the respective film areas positioned in substantial registration with the respective areas of said film carrier, and said film carrier being Movably mounted on said film holder plate, and electromotor means for moving said film carrier on said film holder plate through successive positions in which said carrier areas are successively inserted in the optical field of said lens, each of said positions corresponding to insertion of a respective one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 3, which further comprises a programmed automatic control unit for controlling said electromotor means in a programmed sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said automatic control unit comprises reading means for reading an exchangeable program memory, selected in a program memory library.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a same plurality of separate half-tone screens disposed respectively on said separate film areas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said filter carrier comprises a carrier casing having the front face and one lateral face both open, the said plurality of filter plates being superposed in said carrier casing, first electromotor-controlled means disposed at the level of said filter working position for moving one of said filter plates from inside of said carrier box, through its open front face, to said filter working position, and second electromotor-controlled means for moving vertically said carrier casing with its one open lateral face passing along said first moving means, whereby the selected filter plate is brought at the level of said first moving means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said film carrier comprises a tray mounted on said film holder plate and being movable in a first direction, first electromotor-controlled means for moving said tray in said first direction between two end positions, a film holder table mounted on said tray and being movable in a second direction, perpendicular to said first direction, and second electro-motor-controlled means for moving said table in said second direction between two end positions, said end positions of said movable tray and film holder table being predetermined in accordance with said working positions of said film carrier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 3, which further comprises an auxiliary light source, mounted inside of said casing and being movable between a working position above the film carrier and a retracted position, and electromotor-controlled means for moving said auxiliary light source from its retracted position to its working position, and, after an adjustable, accurately determined auxiliary exposure time, back to its retracted position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said diaphragm adjusting means comprises a diaphragm adjusting member movable in two opposite directions, two adjustable stop members disposed for respectively stopping said movable adjusting member in said two directions, means for moving said adjusting member, said moving means comprising an electromotor having first and second separate energizing circuits for rotation in two opposite directions respectively, a friction clutch for coupling said moving means and said electromotor, first and second means for respectively closing said first and second energizing circuits of said electromotor during a predetermined adjustment time, means for actuating said second closing means and time delay means for releasing said actuating means an accurately determined time delay after re-opening of the previously closed first energizing circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising means for accurately determining the adjustable exposure times, said means comprising at least one timer circuit having adjusting input terminals, starting input terminals and output terminals, at least one first adjustable electric component connected to said adjusting input terminals, means to transmit an electric starting signal to said starting input terminals, and an electromagnetic relay having a coil connected to said output terminals, said timer circuit being adapted tO be started by said starting signal to generate on its output terminals an electric pulse having a duration depending on the adjustment of said first electric component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said shutter opening means comprises an electromagnet having an energizing circuit, and means responsive to said electromagnetic relay for closing said energizing circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said timer circuit further comprises correcting input terminals, and at least one second adjustable electric component is connected to said correcting input terminals, said timer circuit being further adapted to generate an output electric pulse having a duration multiplied by a factor adjustable by means of said second electric component between a first value substantially lower, and a second value substantially higher than 1.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 13, comprising a same plurality of said first and second adjustable electric components, and means for selectively switching said first and second electric components respectively to said adjusting input terminals and said correcting input terminals of said timer circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
170 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said timer circuit comprises a relaxation multivibrator stage connected to the adjusting input terminals of said timer circuit and adapted to generate electric voltage pulses with a recurrence frequency depending on the adjustment of said first electric component, a power stage connected to the correcting input terminals of said timer circuit, said power stage being adapted to be driven by said electric voltage pulses and to generate electric current pulses with a same recurrence frequency and an amplitude depending on the adjustment of said second electric component, a capacitor adapted to be charged by said electric current pulses, a voltage threshold circuit adapted to sense the charging voltage of said capacitor and to generate a reset signal when said charging voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold, and a flip-flop having a set input connected to one of the starting input terminals of said timer circuit, a reset input adapted to receive said reset signal, and outputs connected to the output terminals of said timer circuit.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
276 words
An apparatus for making a plurality of enlarged color separation negatives from a color original, comprising a stationary frame, and, mounted on said frame, an original holder plate, a light-box mounted above said original holder plate, a filter carrier adapted to receive a plurality of separation color filters, said filter carrier being movable for insertion of a selected one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate, an enlarging optical system comprising a lens having a predetermined optical field, plus a diaphragm and a shutter adapted on said lens, a film holder plate mounted in a substantially parallel relationship to said original holder plate, said optical system and said film holder plate being mounted on said frame one above the other and being vertically movable for adjustment thereof at respective selected levels under said original holder plate, a film carrier with a same plurality of separate areas each having a form and size adapted to the optical field of said lens, a single film having a same plurality of separate areas for recording thereon the respective separation negatives, said single film being placed on said film carrier with the respective film areas positioned in substantial registration with the respective areas of said film carrier, and said film carrier being mounted on said film holder plate to be movable thereon, and means for moving said film carrier on said film holder plate through successive positions in which said carrier areas are successively inserted in the optical field of said lens, each of said positions corresponding to insertion of a respective one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
276 words
An apparatus for making a plurality of enlarged color separation negatives from a color original, comprising a stationary frame, and, mounted on said frame, an original holder plate, a light-box mounted above said original holder plate, a filter carrier adapted to receive a plurality of separation color filters, said filter carrier being movable for insertion of a selected one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate, an enlarging optical system comprising a lens having a predetermined optical field, plus a diaphragm and a shutter adapted on said lens, a film holder plate mounted in a substantially parallel relationship to said original holder plate, said optical system and said film holder plate being mounted on said frame one above the other and being vertically movable for adjustment thereof at respective selected levels under said original holder plate, a film carrier with a same plurality of separate areas each having a form and size adapted to the optical field of said lens, a single film having a same plurality of separate areas for recording thereon the respective separation negatives, said single film being placed on said film carrier with the respective film areas positioned in substantial registration with the respective areas of said film carrier, and said film carrier being mounted on said film holder plate to be movable thereon, and means for moving said film carrier on said film holder plate through successive positions in which said carrier areas are successively inserted in the optical field of said lens, each of said positions corresponding to insertion of a respective one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said film carrier iS movable in two substantially perpendicular directions on said film holder plate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said film holder plate is provided with a masking cover having a window in the optical field of said lens, said film carrier and the film placed thereon being movable between said film holder plate and said masking cover for registration of a selected one of said separate film areas with said window.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
307 words
An apparatus for making a plurality of enlarged color separation negatives from a color original, comprising a light-tight casing having upper, lower and lateral walls, a door provided in one of said lateral walls, a window provided in said upper wall, an original holder plate mounted in said window, a light-box mounted externally of said casing and above said original holder plate, a filter carrier adapted to receive a plurality of separation color filters, said filter carrier being mounted outside of said casing and being movable for insertion of a selected one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate, an enlarging optical system comprising a lens having a predetermined optical field, plus a diaphragm and a shutter adapted on said lens, a film holder plate, said optical system and said film holder plate being mounted inside of said casing one above the other and being vertically movable for adjustment thereof at respective selected levels under said original holder plate, a vacuum operated film carrier table with a same plurality of separate areas each having a form and size adapted to the optical field of said lens, a single film having a same plurality of separate areas for recording thereon the respective separation negatives, said single film being placed on said film carrier table with the respective film areas positioned in substantial registration with the respective areas of said film carrier table, and said film carrier table being mounted on said film holder plate to be movable thereon and means for moving said film carrier table on said film holder plate through successive positions in which said carrier table areas are successively inserted in the optical field of said lens, each of said positions corresponding to insertion of a respective one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
307 words
An apparatus for making a plurality of enlarged color separation negatives from a color original, comprising a light-tight casing having upper, lower and lateral walls, a door provided in one of said lateral walls, a window provided in said upper wall, an original holder plate mounted in said window, a light-box mounted externally of said casing and above said original holder plate, a filter carrier adapted to receive a plurality of separation color filters, said filter carrier being mounted outside of said casing and being movable for insertion of a selected one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate, an enlarging optical system comprising a lens having a predetermined optical field, plus a diaphragm and a shutter adapted on said lens, a film holder plate, said optical system and said film holder plate being mounted inside of said casing one above the other and being vertically movable for adjustment thereof at respective selected levels under said original holder plate, a vacuum operated film carrier table with a same plurality of separate areas each having a form and size adapted to the optical field of said lens, a single film having a same plurality of separate areas for recording thereon the respective separation negatives, said single film being placed on said film carrier table with the respective film areas positioned in substantial registration with the respective areas of said film carrier table, and said film carrier table being mounted on said film holder plate to be movable thereon and means for moving said film carrier table on said film holder plate through successive positions in which said carrier table areas are successively inserted in the optical field of said lens, each of said positions corresponding to insertion of a respective one of said color filters between said light-box and said original holder plate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said light-box is provided with ventilation apertures and is movable in relation to said casing for free access to said original holder plate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a column is vertically mounted inside of said casing, said optical system and said film holder plate being slidably mounted on said vertical column, one above the other.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a retractable auxiliary light source is inserted between said optical system and said film carrier, mounted on said film holder plate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |