US3852781A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable drive for photographic apparatus
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-23
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1993-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A self-developing camera containing a pair of pressure-applying rollers that contact an advancing exposed film unit and distribute a processing liquid within the film unit, a manually reciprocatable drawer for transporting the film unit, and a variable speed drive system to vary the driving force applied by the rollers to the film unit in proportion to variations in resistance to movement of the film unit resulting from the surface configuration of the film unit. The drive system increases the driving force applied to the film unit by the rollers in the thicker regions of the film unit.
Inventors
- 👤 I Erlichman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:11
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D9/00; G03D9/02; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/28; G03B17/32; G03B17/34; G03B17/48; G03B17/50; G03B17/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for conveying an article comprising: roller means including at least one roller contacting the surface of an article being conveyed during movement of the article past said roller means; transport means for supporting and transporting the article to said roller means; and drive means coupled with said roller and said transport means and actuated by said transport means to vary the driving force applied by said roller to the article in proportion to variations in resistance to movement of the article past said roller means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for conveying an article comprising: roller means including at least one roller contacting the surface of an article being conveyed during movement of the article past said roller means; transport means for supporting and transporting the article to said roller means; and drive means coupled with said roller and said transport means and actuated by said transport means to vary the driving force applied by said roller to the article in proportion to variations in resistance to movement of the article past said roller means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means vary the speed of rotation of said roller in proportion to variations in the surface configuration of the article contacting said roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means include first gear means and second gear means and means actuated by movement of said transport means to, in sequence, engage said first gear means to drive said roller at one speed and then to engage said second gear means to drive said roller at another speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said last-mentioned means comprise a first gear rack on said transport means engageable with said firt gear means over a portion of the path of movement of said transport means, and a second gear rack on said transport means positioned to engage said second gear means over another portion of the path of said transport means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
Photographic apparatus comprisiNg: means for locating a film unit in position for exposure; processing means including at least one roller mounted in position to receive one end of the film unit and spread a processing liquid across a photosensitive element of the film unit while simultaneously advancing the film unit away from said exposure position; means for engaging and moving the film unit, subsequent to exposure, from said exposure position into engagement with said processing means; and drive means coupled with said processing means for varying the driving force applied by said processing means to the film unit in proportion to variations in resistance to advancement of the film unit through said processing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
Photographic apparatus comprisiNg: means for locating a film unit in position for exposure; processing means including at least one roller mounted in position to receive one end of the film unit and spread a processing liquid across a photosensitive element of the film unit while simultaneously advancing the film unit away from said exposure position; means for engaging and moving the film unit, subsequent to exposure, from said exposure position into engagement with said processing means; and drive means coupled with said processing means for varying the driving force applied by said processing means to the film unit in proportion to variations in resistance to advancement of the film unit through said processing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said drive means includes first and second power trains alternately coupled in driving relation with said processing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said drive means includes manually operable means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 further including means for connecting said engaging means to said manually operable means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said manually operable means includes means for receiving and supporting the film unit subsequent to its passage between said processing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including means for mounting said manually operable means for movement between a first position wherein said receiving and supporting means is located substantially within said photographic apparatus and a second position wherein said receiving and supporting means is located at least partially outside said photographic apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
In photographic apparatus having means for locating a film unit in position for exposure, means for engaging and advancing the film unit after exposure, means for distributing a processing liquid across a photosensitive element of the film unit, and means for supporting the film unit advanced by said distributing means; the improvement comprising: drive means coupled with said distributing means and said supporting means to, at predetermined intervals, vary a driving force applied by said distributing means to the film unit proportional to variations in resistance to advancement of the film unit through said distributing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
In photographic apparatus having means for locating a film unit in position for exposure, means for engaging and advancing the film unit after exposure, means for distributing a processing liquid across a photosensitive element of the film unit, and means for supporting the film unit advanced by said distributing means; the improvement comprising: drive means coupled with said distributing means and said supporting means to, at predetermined intervals, vary a driving force applied by said distributing means to the film unit proportional to variations in resistance to advancement of the film unit through said distributing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said distributing means include at least one roller engaging a surface of the film unit during advancement by said distributing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said supporting means comprise a manually reciprocatable support member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said drive means include first and second racks connected to said support member and reciprocatable therewith, and first and second gears for driving said distributing means sequentially at different speeds, said first rack being positioned to actuate said first gear during a portion of the path of advancement of the film unit and said second rack being positioned to actuate said second gear during another portion of the path of advancement of the film unit.
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) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |