Patent US3846808A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3846808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Processor assembly
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-02
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1994-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A processor assembly adapted for use with selfdeveloping cameras and including a pair of rollers each having a tubular roller shell and a flexible shaft extending through the shell. One of the roller shells may be journaled on the shaft on which it is supported whereas the other of the roller shells may be driven by its supporting shaft through torque limiting couplers corresponding in axial position to the axial position of the bearings in the other roller shell. In a preferred embodiment, a bracket supports the roller shells in a coplanar relationship, establishes a working nip between the roller shells, and retains the shafts in a stressed condition to provide a minimum preload bias between the rollers. Pregap collars may be secured at opposite ends of one of the rollers to provide a minimum pregap between the pair of rollers at the working nip.
Inventors
- 👤 J Whall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D9/00; G03D9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
In a self-developing camera of the type in which an exposed film unit is processed by passage thereof between a pair of oppositely biased spreader surfaces, the improvement comprising: a pair of rollers each including a tubular roller shell, a flexible shaft extending through said shell and means for mounting said shells on said shafts respectively; and means for supporting said shafts in coplanar relationship to establish a working nip between said roller shells and to flex said shafts to bow about said mounting means, thereby to hold said roller shells yieldably one against the other at said nip under the elastic restoration force of said flexed shafts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a self-developing camera of the type in which an exposed film unit is processed by passage thereof between a pair of oppositely biased spreader surfaces, the improvement comprising: a pair of rollers each including a tubular roller shell, a flexible shaft extending through said shell and means for mounting said shells on said shafts respectively; and means for supporting said shafts in coplanar relationship to establish a working nip between said roller shells and to flex said shafts to bow about said mounting means, thereby to hold said roller shells yieldably one against the other at said nip under the elastic restoration force of said flexed shafts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said roller shells further includes means disposed on said one tubular roller shell for engaging the outer peripheral surface of said other tubular roller shell thereby providing a minimum pregap at said working nip between said pair of rollers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including drive means operatively connected to at least one of said pair of rollers to rotate said rollers, said drive means including a drive member fixedly secured to said flexible shaft of said one of said pair of rollers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for mounting said roller shell on said shaft connected to said drive means comprises a pair of resilient couplers, said couplers being in frictional engagement with the inner peripheral surface of said tubular roller shell and frictionally supported on said driven shaft, thereby permitting relative rotation between the roller shell and the driven shaft to prevent transfer of excessive torque to said power drive means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting one of said tubular roller shells comprises a pair of bearing assemblies about said shaft and contacting the inner peripheral surface of said tubular roller shell thereby permitting said tubular roller shell to rotate about said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said shafts in a coplanar relationship comprise leg portions, said leg portions formed with apertures receiving the ends of said shafts, said apertures being vertically spaced equally on said leg portions a distance less than the radial distance between the axes of the tubular roller shells when said shafts are in said coplanar relationship.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes means for mounting said rollers for movement between a first position in which said rollers are out of engagement with each other and said shafts are in an unflexed condition and a second position wherein said rollers are in engagement with each other and said shafts are in said flexed condition to establish a predetermined force loading between said rollers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 further including means for preventing movement of said rollers beyond said second position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said rollers when in said first position are spaced apart a distance sufficient to allow a film cassette to be moved therebetween and into the camera.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
134 words
A self-developing photographic camera for exposing and processing film units, said camera comprising in combination: a base configured to receive film units for exposure in the camera; a processor mounted adjacent said base to receive and process the film units film after exposure, said processor comprising a pair of rollers each including a tubular roller shell, a flexible shaft extending through said shell and means for mounting said shells on said shafts respectively; and means for supporting said shafts in coplanar relationship to establish a working nip between said roller shells and to flex said shafts to bow about said mounting means, thereby to hold said roller shells yieldably one against the other at said nip under the elastic restoration force of said flexed shafts to establish a predetermined force loading between said rollers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
134 words
A self-developing photographic camera for exposing and processing film units, said camera comprising in combination: a base configured to receive film units for exposure in the camera; a processor mounted adjacent said base to receive and process the film units film after exposure, said processor comprising a pair of rollers each including a tubular roller shell, a flexible shaft extending through said shell and means for mounting said shells on said shafts respectively; and means for supporting said shafts in coplanar relationship to establish a working nip between said roller shells and to flex said shafts to bow about said mounting means, thereby to hold said roller shells yieldably one against the other at said nip under the elastic restoration force of said flexed shafts to establish a predetermined force loading between said rollers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The photographic camera as defined in claim 10 wherein one of said rollers further includes means for engaging the outer peripheral surface of the other of said tubular roller shells, thereby providing a minimum pregap at said working nip between said pair of rollers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The photographic camera as defined in claim 11 wherein said engaging means comprise a pair of pregap collars disposed on opposite ends of said one of said tubular roller shells.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The photographic camera as defined in claim 10 further comprising: drive means for rotating said rollers, the shaft of at least one of said rollers being connected to said drive means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
The photographic camera as defined in claim 13 wherein said means for mounting said tubular roller shell on said drive connected shaft comprises a pair of resilient couplers, said couplers frictionally engaging said drive connected shaft and frictionally engaging the inner peripheral surface of said one of said tubular roller shells, thereby preventing the transfer of excessive torque between said rollers And said drive means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
The photographic camera as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for supporting said shafts in coplanar relationship comprises leg portions, said leg portions having apertures receiving the ends of said shafts, said apertures being vertically spaced equally on each side of said processor a distance less than the radial distance between the axes of said tubular roller shells when said shafts are in said coplanar relationship.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
The photographic camera as defined in claim 10 wherein said supporting means includes means for mounting said rollers for movement between a first position in which said rollers are out of engagement with each other and said shafts are in an unflexed condition and a second position wherein said rollers are in engagement with each other and said shafts are in said flexed condition to establish a predetermined force loading between said rollers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The photographic camera as defined in claim 16 further including means for preventing movement of said rollers beyond said second position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The photographic camera as defined in claim 16 wherein said rollers when in said first position are spaced apart a distance sufficient to allow a film cassette to be moved therebetween and into said camera.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
84 words
A roll-type spreader assembly comprising: a pair of rollers each including a tubular roller shell, a flexible shaft extending through said shell and means for mounting said shells on said shafts respectively; and means for supporting said shafts in coplanar relationship to establish a working nip between said roller shells and to flex said shafts to bow about said mounting means, thereby to hold said roller shells yieldably one against the other at said nip under the elastic restoration force of said flexed shafts.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
84 words
A roll-type spreader assembly comprising: a pair of rollers each including a tubular roller shell, a flexible shaft extending through said shell and means for mounting said shells on said shafts respectively; and means for supporting said shafts in coplanar relationship to establish a working nip between said roller shells and to flex said shafts to bow about said mounting means, thereby to hold said roller shells yieldably one against the other at said nip under the elastic restoration force of said flexed shafts.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 further including means for driving at least one of said rollers and means for limiting torque transmission between said one roller and said driving means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 including a bracket having upstanding leg members for supporting opposite ends of said shafts, and upstanding members being flexible to facilitate assembly of said rollers therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said supporting means includes means for mounting said rollers for movement between a first position in which said rollers are out of engagement with each other and said shafts are in an unflexed condition and a second position wherein said rollers are in engagement with each other and said shafts are in said flexed condition to establish a predetermined force loading between said rollers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 22 further including means for preventing movement of said rollers beyond said second position.
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) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |