Multipurpose, audio-visual cassette system

Claim 2

A camera comprising: a substantially light-tight camera housing; means for receiving a film cassette in operative relation with said camera housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, such cassette housing including a first opening configured for film exposure operations and opening defining means configured for sound operations; selectively operative means for cooperating with such film strip when such cassette is operatively positioned within said receiving means for advancing such film strip serially across such openings, said advancing means including a first drive means for intermittently advancing incremental portions of such film strip across such first opening and a second drive means for substantially constantly advancing such film strip across such opening defining means; means located in operative relation with such first opening for exposing such incremental portions of such film strip at said first opening so as to record scene images thereon; means including a sound-head mounted in said camera housing in operative relation with said opening defining means for providing sound recording upon or sound reproduction from such film strip; means located in said camera housing in operative relation to such opening defining means for receiving a loop of such film strip extending through such opening defining means; and means located in said loop receiving means for controlling at least one of said drive means to extend a portion of such film strip through such opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while other portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to thereby initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip so that with such cassette mounted in said camera such film strip may be exposed and sound recorded thereon without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof.

Claim 3

The camera of claim 1 wherein said control means is configured to vary the operation of said first drive means between one value advancing such film strip at an average speed less than the advancement of such film strip by said second means and a second value advancing such film strip at an average speed greater than such advancement by said second drive means.

Claim 4

The camera of claim 1 wherein said advancing means is operative to advance such film strip in a direction passing first across such opening defining means and then across said first opening, and said control means is configured to vary the operation of said first drive means between an initial value which advances such film strip at an average speed less than the advancement of such film strip by said second drive means and a second value which advances such film strip at an average speed slightly greater than such advancement by said second drive means.

Claim 5

The camera of claim 1 wherein said second drive means includes means is configured to enter one end of such opening defining means furthest removed from said first opening and to advance such film towards the other end of such opening defining means and towards such first opening so as to form such loop of film extending through such opening defining means in adjoining relation to such other end thereof.

Claim 6

The camera of claim 4 wherein such opening defining means includes a second and third opening configured to receive said second drive means and said sound-head respectively said third opening located on the other side of second opening from such first opening such that such film strip is drawn across said sound-head at substantially constant speed by such second drive means operating in such second opening.

Claim 7

Projector apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film-handling cassette, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic material, such cassette housing including a first opening configured for projection of images retained on such a film strip, and opening defining means configured for operation of an audio program with such film strip, said cassette-receiving means including a plurality of walls configured to closely conform to such cassette housiNg and forming a well-like arrangement having an open end in communication with one surface of said apparatus housing, said walls including a first opening adjoining such first cassette opening when such cassette is operatively located in said receiving means so as to permit passage of image carrying rays from such first opening and an opening defining means located adjoining such opening defining means of such cassette so as to permit extension of a loop of such film exteriorly of such cassette; image forming means located in operative relation with said first opening in said walls when such cassette is positioned in said receiving means; means including a sound-head located in operative relation with said opening defining means in said walls when such cassette is located in said receiving means for providing sound recording upon or sound reproduction from such film strip; means for advancing such film strip serially across such first cassette opening and such opening defining means, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing incremental portions of such film strip across such first cassette opening and second drive means for substantially constantly advancing such film strip across such cassette opening defining means; and means for controlling at least one of said drive means to extend a portion of such film strip through such opening defining means of such cassette and said opening defining means of said walls while other portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip so that with such cassette mounted in said projector such film strip may be projected and sound recorded thereon or played back therefrom without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof.

Claim 8

Projector apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film-handling cassette, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic material, such cassette housing including a first opening configured for projection of images retained on such a film strip, and opening defining means configured for operation of an audio program with such film strip, said cassette-receiving means including a plurality of walls configured to closely conform to such cassette housiNg and forming a well-like arrangement having an open end in communication with one surface of said apparatus housing, said walls including a first opening adjoining such first cassette opening when such cassette is operatively located in said receiving means so as to permit passage of image carrying rays from such first opening and an opening defining means located adjoining such opening defining means of such cassette so as to permit extension of a loop of such film exteriorly of such cassette; image forming means located in operative relation with said first opening in said walls when such cassette is positioned in said receiving means; means including a sound-head located in operative relation with said opening defining means in said walls when such cassette is located in said receiving means for providing sound recording upon or sound reproduction from such film strip; means for advancing such film strip serially across such first cassette opening and such opening defining means, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing incremental portions of such film strip across such first cassette opening and second drive means for substantially constantly advancing such film strip across such cassette opening defining means; and means for controlling at least one of said drive means to extend a portion of such film strip through such opening defining means of such cassette and said opening defining means of said walls while other portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip so that with such cassette mounted in said projector such film strip may be projected and sound recorded thereon or played back therefrom without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second drive means includes a capstan configured to enter such opening defining means intermediate said sound-head and said first opening and operative to advance such film strip toward said first opening so as to draw such film strip across said sound-head.

Claim 10

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, such cassette housing including a first station for cooperating with said apparatus so as to provide a photographic operation with such film strip and a second station configured for cooperating with said apparatus so as to provide an audio operation with such film strip, such second station including opening defining means; selectively operative means for cooperating with such first cassette station for providing a photographic program with such film strip thereat, said photographic program means including a first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip in a given direction along a given path so as to present progressive incremental sections of such film strip at such first station; selectively operative means for cooperating with such second cassette station for providing an audio program with such film strip thereat, said audio program means including a second drive means for substantially constantly advancing such film strip in said given direction along said given path through such second cassette station; means providing a substantially light-tight area located in said apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means when such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means for controlling at least one of said drive means to extend a portion of such film strip through sucH opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such film strip may be exposed or projected and sound recorded thereon or played back therefrom without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof, said controlling means including means for controlling at least one of said drive means so as to initially advance such film through such second station and towards said first station at a rate initially exceeding the average advancement of such film strip through such first station.

Claim 11

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, such cassette housing including a first station for cooperating with said apparatus so as to provide a photographic operation with such film strip and a second station configured for cooperating with said apparatus so as to provide an audio operation with such film strip, such second station including opening defining means; selectively operative means for cooperating with such first cassette station for providing a photographic program with such film strip thereat, said photographic program means including a first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip in a given direction along a given path so as to present progressive incremental sections of such film strip at such first station; selectively operative means for cooperating with such second cassette station for providing an audio program with such film strip thereat, said audio program means including a second drive means for substantially constantly advancing such film strip in said given direction along said given path through such second cassette station; means providing a substantially light-tight area located in said apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means when such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means for controlling at least one of said drive means to extend a portion of such film strip through sucH opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such film strip may be exposed or projected and sound recorded thereon or played back therefrom without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof, said controlling means including means for controlling at least one of said drive means so as to initially advance such film through such second station and towards said first station at a rate initially exceeding the average advancement of such film strip through such first station.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for controlling said drive means includes a loop sensor located in said loop receiving means configured to vary the relative rate of film advancement by one of said drive means so as to maintain the size of said loop within a predetermined range.

Claim 13

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in an operative location within said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, a first station configured for photographic operations, and a second station configured for sound operations, such second station including opening defining means; means for operating such cassette to perform such photographic and sound programs therewith, said operating means including means for advancing such film strip serially along a given path through such first and second stations, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip through such first station and second drive means for advancing such film strip at a substantially constant speed through such second station; means located in said apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means when such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means located in said loop receiving means for controlling the average speed of film advancement of at least one of said drive means so as to extend a portion of such film strip intermediate such stations through such opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing, and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip, and for drawing such film loop back into such cassette housing at the completion of such photographic and sound programs so as to facilitate removal of such cassette from said receiving means so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such programs may be performed on such film strip without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof.

Claim 14

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in an operative location within said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, a first station configured for photographic operations, and a second station configured for sound operations, such second station including opening defining means; means for operating such cassette to perform such photographic and sound programs therewith, said operating means including means for advancing such film strip serially along a given path through such first and second stations, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip through such first station and second drive means for advancing such film strip at a substantially constant speed through such second station; means located in said apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means when such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means located in said loop receiving means for controlling the average speed of film advancement of at least one of said drive means so as to extend a portion of such film strip intermediate such stations through such opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing, and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip, and for drawing such film loop back into such cassette housing at the completion of such photographic and sound programs so as to facilitate removal of such cassette from said receiving means so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such programs may be performed on such film strip without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 10 including means for retaining such cassette within said cassette receiving means, and said controlling means includes means for drawing such loop back into such cassette responsive to release of said retaining means.

Claim 16

A photographic system comprising: a cassette comprising: a strip of photographic film material; a cassette housing for retaining said strip of film, said housing including an opening for facilitating photographic operations with said film strip and opening defining means for facilitating audio operations; and an apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; Means for receiving said film handling cassette, said cassette-receiving means including a plurality of walls configured to closely conform to said cassette housing and forming a well-like arrangement having an open end in communication with one surface of said apparatus housing, said walls including a first opening located adjoining said cassette opening when such cassette is operatively located in said receiving means so as to permit passage of image carrying rays through said first opening, and opening defining means located adjoining said cassette opening defining means so as to permit extension of a loop of such film exteriorly of such cassette; image forming means operatively associated with said opening in said walls; a sound-head operatively associated with said opening defining means in said walls; means for cooperating within such film strip for advancing such film strip serially across said opening and said opening defining means of said cassette, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing incremental portions of such film strip across said cassette opening and second drive means for substantially constantly advancing such film strip across said cassette opening defining means; and means for controlling at least one of said drive means to extend a portion of said film strip through both said cassette opening defining means and said opening defining means of said receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within said cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from said cassette housing and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of said film strip so that with said cassette mounted in said apparatus said film strip may be exposed or projected and sound recorded thereon or played back therefrom without removing it from said cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of said film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof.

Claim 17

A photographic system comprising: a cassette comprising: a strip of photographic film material; a cassette housing for retaining said strip of film, said housing including an opening for facilitating photographic operations with said film strip and opening defining means for facilitating audio operations; and an apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; Means for receiving said film handling cassette, said cassette-receiving means including a plurality of walls configured to closely conform to said cassette housing and forming a well-like arrangement having an open end in communication with one surface of said apparatus housing, said walls including a first opening located adjoining said cassette opening when such cassette is operatively located in said receiving means so as to permit passage of image carrying rays through said first opening, and opening defining means located adjoining said cassette opening defining means so as to permit extension of a loop of such film exteriorly of such cassette; image forming means operatively associated with said opening in said walls; a sound-head operatively associated with said opening defining means in said walls; means for cooperating within such film strip for advancing such film strip serially across said opening and said opening defining means of said cassette, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing incremental portions of such film strip across said cassette opening and second drive means for substantially constantly advancing such film strip across said cassette opening defining means; and means for controlling at least one of said drive means to extend a portion of said film strip through both said cassette opening defining means and said opening defining means of said receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within said cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from said cassette housing and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of said film strip so that with said cassette mounted in said apparatus said film strip may be exposed or projected and sound recorded thereon or played back therefrom without removing it from said cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of said film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof.

Claim 18

A photographic system comprising: a film handling cassette comprising: a strip of photographic film material; a cassette housing for retaining said film strip, said housing including a first opening for facilitating performance of a photographic program with said film strip and opening defining means for facilitating performance of an audio program with said film strip; an apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in operative relation with said apparatus housing; selectively operative means for cooperating with said film strip when said cassette is operatively positioned within said receiving means for advancing said film strip serially across said opening defining means and said first opening, said advancing means including a first drive means for intermittently advancing incremental portions of such film strip across said first opening and a second drive means for substantially constantly advancing such film strip across said opening defining means; means located in operative relation with said first opening for cooperating with said incremental portions of such film strip at said first opening so as to record scene images thereon; means including a sound-head mounted in said camera housing in operative relation with said opening defining means for providing sound recording upon or sound reproduction from such film strip; means located in said camera housing in operative relation to said opening defining means for accommodating a loop of such film strip extending therethrough, said accommodating means forming with said cassettes a substantially light-tight area for accommodating such loop; and means located in part in said loop accommodating means for controlling at least one of said drive means to extend a portion of said film strip through said opening defining means and into said loop accommodating means while other portions of said film strip to either side of said loop remain within said cassette housing so as to thereby initially form a loop of film extending from said cassette housing and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of said film strip so that with said cassette mounted in said camera said film strip may be exposed and sound recorded thereon without removing it from said cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of said film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof.

Claim 19

A photographic system comprising: a film handling cassette comprising: a strip of photographic film material; a cassette housing for retaining said film strip, said housing including a first opening for facilitating performance of a photographic program with said film strip and opening defining means for facilitating performance of an audio program with said film strip; an apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in operative relation with said apparatus housing; selectively operative means for cooperating with said film strip when said cassette is operatively positioned within said receiving means for advancing said film strip serially across said opening defining means and said first opening, said advancing means including a first drive means for intermittently advancing incremental portions of such film strip across said first opening and a second drive means for substantially constantly advancing such film strip across said opening defining means; means located in operative relation with said first opening for cooperating with said incremental portions of such film strip at said first opening so as to record scene images thereon; means including a sound-head mounted in said camera housing in operative relation with said opening defining means for providing sound recording upon or sound reproduction from such film strip; means located in said camera housing in operative relation to said opening defining means for accommodating a loop of such film strip extending therethrough, said accommodating means forming with said cassettes a substantially light-tight area for accommodating such loop; and means located in part in said loop accommodating means for controlling at least one of said drive means to extend a portion of said film strip through said opening defining means and into said loop accommodating means while other portions of said film strip to either side of said loop remain within said cassette housing so as to thereby initially form a loop of film extending from said cassette housing and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of said film strip so that with said cassette mounted in said camera said film strip may be exposed and sound recorded thereon without removing it from said cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of said film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof.

Claim 20

A projector apparatus comprising: a substantially light-tight apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in operative relation with said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, such cassette housing including a first opening configured for film exposure operations and opening defining means configured for sound operations; selectively operative means for cooperating with such film strip when such cassette is operatively positioned within said receiving means for advancing such film strip serially across such opening defining means and such first opening, said advancing means including a first drive means for intermittently advancing incremental portions of such film strip across such first opening and a second drive means for substantially constantly advancing such film strip across such opening defining means; means located in operative relation with such first opening for projecting images from such incremental portions of such film strip presented at said first opening; means including a sound-head mounted in said camera housing in operative relation with such opening defining means for providing sound recording upon or sound reproduction from such film strip; means located in said camera housing in operative relation to such opening defining means for accommodating a loop of such film strip extending through such opening defining means, said loop accommodating means forming with such cassette a substantially light-tight area for accommodating such film loop; and means located in part in said loop accommodating means for controlling at least one of said drive means to extend a portion of such film strip through such opening defining means and into said loop accommodating means while other portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to thereby initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus housing such film strip may be projected and sound recorded thereon or reproduced therefrom without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof.

Claim 21

A projector apparatus comprising: a substantially light-tight apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in operative relation with said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, such cassette housing including a first opening configured for film exposure operations and opening defining means configured for sound operations; selectively operative means for cooperating with such film strip when such cassette is operatively positioned within said receiving means for advancing such film strip serially across such opening defining means and such first opening, said advancing means including a first drive means for intermittently advancing incremental portions of such film strip across such first opening and a second drive means for substantially constantly advancing such film strip across such opening defining means; means located in operative relation with such first opening for projecting images from such incremental portions of such film strip presented at said first opening; means including a sound-head mounted in said camera housing in operative relation with such opening defining means for providing sound recording upon or sound reproduction from such film strip; means located in said camera housing in operative relation to such opening defining means for accommodating a loop of such film strip extending through such opening defining means, said loop accommodating means forming with such cassette a substantially light-tight area for accommodating such film loop; and means located in part in said loop accommodating means for controlling at least one of said drive means to extend a portion of such film strip through such opening defining means and into said loop accommodating means while other portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to thereby initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing and for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus housing such film strip may be projected and sound recorded thereon or reproduced therefrom without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof.

Claim 22

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in an operative location within said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, such film strip including a discontinuity located near the trailing end thereof, a first station configured for photographic operations, and a second station configured for sound operations, such second station including opening defining means; means for operating such cassette to perform such photographic and sound programs therewith, said operating means including means for advancing such film strip serially along a given path through such first and second stations, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip through such first station and second drive means for advancing such film strip at a substantially constant speed through such second station; means located in said apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means When such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means located in said loop receiving means for controlling the average speed of film advancement of at least one of said drive means so as to extend a portion of such film strip intermediate such stations through such opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing, for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip, and for drawing such film loop back into such cassette housing at the completion of such photographic and sound programs so as to facilitate removal of such cassette from said receiving means so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such programs may be performed on such film strip without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof; said apparatus including stop means located in adjoining relation to such given path and at a point prior to such film loop, said stop means configured for cooperating with such discontinuity of such film strip to prevent further advancement of such film strip by said second drive means prior to stopping advancement of such film strip by said first drive means so as to thereby withdraw such film loop back into such cassette housing.

Claim 23

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in an operative location within said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, such film strip including a discontinuity located near the trailing end thereof, a first station configured for photographic operations, and a second station configured for sound operations, such second station including opening defining means; means for operating such cassette to perform such photographic and sound programs therewith, said operating means including means for advancing such film strip serially along a given path through such first and second stations, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip through such first station and second drive means for advancing such film strip at a substantially constant speed through such second station; means located in said apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means When such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means located in said loop receiving means for controlling the average speed of film advancement of at least one of said drive means so as to extend a portion of such film strip intermediate such stations through such opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing, for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip, and for drawing such film loop back into such cassette housing at the completion of such photographic and sound programs so as to facilitate removal of such cassette from said receiving means so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such programs may be performed on such film strip without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof; said apparatus including stop means located in adjoining relation to such given path and at a point prior to such film loop, said stop means configured for cooperating with such discontinuity of such film strip to prevent further advancement of such film strip by said second drive means prior to stopping advancement of such film strip by said first drive means so as to thereby withdraw such film loop back into such cassette housing.

Claim 24

The apparatus claimed in claim 15 wherein such cassette includes a processing station and such film discontinuity is additionally configured for cooperating with such processing station to facilitate film processing.

Claim 25

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in an operative location within said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, a first station configured for photographic operations, and a second station configured for sound operations, such second station including opening defining means; means for operating such cassette to perform such photographic and sound programs therewith said operating means including means for advancing such film strip serially along a given path through such first and second stations, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip through such first station and second drive means for advancing such film strip at a substantially constant speed through such second station; means located in said apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means when such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means located in said loop receiving means for controlling the average speed of film advancement of at least one of said drive means so as to extend a portion of such film strip intermediate such stations through such opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing, for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip, and for withdrawing such film loop back into such cassette housing at the completion of such photographic and sound programs so as to facilitate removal of such cassette from said receiving means so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such programs may be performed on such film strip without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof; said means for drawing such film loop back into such cassette incLudes means for precluding advancement of such film strip through such second station while further advancing such film strip through such first station so as to reduce the length of film stored between said first and second stations and to thereby withdraw such film loop back into such cassette housing.

Claim 26

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in an operative location within said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, a first station configured for photographic operations, and a second station configured for sound operations, such second station including opening defining means; means for operating such cassette to perform such photographic and sound programs therewith said operating means including means for advancing such film strip serially along a given path through such first and second stations, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip through such first station and second drive means for advancing such film strip at a substantially constant speed through such second station; means located in said apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means when such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means located in said loop receiving means for controlling the average speed of film advancement of at least one of said drive means so as to extend a portion of such film strip intermediate such stations through such opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing, for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip, and for withdrawing such film loop back into such cassette housing at the completion of such photographic and sound programs so as to facilitate removal of such cassette from said receiving means so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such programs may be performed on such film strip without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof; said means for drawing such film loop back into such cassette incLudes means for precluding advancement of such film strip through such second station while further advancing such film strip through such first station so as to reduce the length of film stored between said first and second stations and to thereby withdraw such film loop back into such cassette housing.

Claim 27

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in an operative location within said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, a first station configured for photographic operations, and a second station configured for sound operations, such second station including opening defining means; means for operating such cassette to perform such photographic and sound programs therewith, said operating means including means for advancing such film strip serially along a given path through such first and second stations, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip through such first station and second drive means for advancing such film strip at a substantially constant speed through such second station; means located in said apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means when such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means located in said loop receiving means for controlling the average speed of film advancement of at least one of said drive means so as to extend a portion of such film strip intermediate such stations through such opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing, for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip, and for drawing such film loop back into such cassette housing at the completion of such photographic and sound programs so as to facilitate removal of such cassette from said receiving means so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such programs may be performed on such film strip without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof; and a door member configured for displacement between a blocking and unblocking position over said receiving means so as to respectively retain such cassette within said receiving means or permit its removal therefrom, and said controlling means includes means for drawing such film loop back into such cassette responsive to displacement of said door member from its blocking towards its unblocking position.

Claim 28

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in an operative location within said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, a first station configured for photographic operations, and a second station configured for sound operations, such second station including opening defining means; means for operating such cassette to perform such photographic and sound programs therewith, said operating means including means for advancing such film strip serially along a given path through such first and second stations, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip through such first station and second drive means for advancing such film strip at a substantially constant speed through such second station; means located in said apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means when such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means located in said loop receiving means for controlling the average speed of film advancement of at least one of said drive means so as to extend a portion of such film strip intermediate such stations through such opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing, for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip, and for drawing such film loop back into such cassette housing at the completion of such photographic and sound programs so as to facilitate removal of such cassette from said receiving means so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such programs may be performed on such film strip without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof; and a door member configured for displacement between a blocking and unblocking position over said receiving means so as to respectively retain such cassette within said receiving means or permit its removal therefrom, and said controlling means includes means for drawing such film loop back into such cassette responsive to displacement of said door member from its blocking towards its unblocking position.

Claim 29

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in an operative location within said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, a first station configured for photographic operations, and a second station configured for sound operations, such second station including opening defining means; means for operating such cassette to perform such photographic and sound programs therewith, said operating means including means for advancing such film strip serially along a given path through such first and second stations, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip through such first station and second drive means for advancing such film strip at a substantially constant speed through such second station, said second drive means being displaceable between a first operative position wherein it is in operative engagement with such film strip and a second inoperative position wherein it is not in operative engagement with such film strip; means located in said Apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means when such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means located in said loop receiving means for controlling the average speed of film advancement of at least one of said drive means so as to extend a portion of such film strip intermediate such stations through such opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing, for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip, and for drawing such film loop back into such cassette housing at the completion of such photographic and sound programs so as to facilitate removal of such cassette from said receiving means so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such programs may be performed on such film strip without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof, said withdrawing means including means for retaining said drive means in its said second inoperative position while advancing a short length of such film strip through said first station.

Claim 30

Photographic apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; means for receiving a film cassette in an operative location within said apparatus housing, such cassette including a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material, a first station configured for photographic operations, and a second station configured for sound operations, such second station including opening defining means; means for operating such cassette to perform such photographic and sound programs therewith, said operating means including means for advancing such film strip serially along a given path through such first and second stations, said advancing means including first drive means for intermittently advancing such film strip through such first station and second drive means for advancing such film strip at a substantially constant speed through such second station, said second drive means being displaceable between a first operative position wherein it is in operative engagement with such film strip and a second inoperative position wherein it is not in operative engagement with such film strip; means located in said Apparatus housing in operative relation to such opening defining means when such cassette is mounted in said receiving means for receiving a loop of film extending through such opening defining means; and means located in said loop receiving means for controlling the average speed of film advancement of at least one of said drive means so as to extend a portion of such film strip intermediate such stations through such opening defining means and into said loop receiving means while portions of such film strip to either side of such loop remain within such cassette housing so as to initially form a loop of film extending from such cassette housing, for thereafter controlling the size of such loop during the advancement of such film strip, and for drawing such film loop back into such cassette housing at the completion of such photographic and sound programs so as to facilitate removal of such cassette from said receiving means so that with such cassette mounted in said apparatus such programs may be performed on such film strip without removing it from such cassette, such loop serving to isolate the constantly advanced portions of such film strip from the intermittently advanced portions thereof, said withdrawing means including means for retaining said drive means in its said second inoperative position while advancing a short length of such film strip through said first station.