Patent US3854809A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3854809A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Photographic apparatus
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-02
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-07-02
Abstract
Abstract Photographic apparatus including film-advancing structure for asymmetrically engaging a film unit and moving it into engagement with a pair of pressure-applying members. The pressure-applying members are adapted to rupture a container of processing composition located near one end of the film unit and spread the contents thereof across a photosensitive layer of the film unit to initiate formation of a visible image. The asymmetrical engagement of the film unit by the film-advancing structure may result in the film unit being slightly canted as it moves into engagement with the pressure-applying members. Advancing the canted film unit between the pressure-applying members may result in an incomplete spread of the processing composition, i.e., some portion of the photosensitive layer will not be covered by the processing composition. This condition is substantially obviated by providing the pressure-applying members with the facility to spread the processing composition across the photosensitive layer in a layer having an asymmetrical thickness, as measured in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the film unit through the pressure-applying members.
Inventors
- 👤 J Driscoll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:31
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D9/00; G03D9/02; G03D9/025; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/48; G03B17/50; G03B17/52; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of an exposed film unit comprising: pressure-applying means adapted to engage opposite sides of an exposed film unit for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the exposed film unit in a layer having an asymmetrical thickness, as measured in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the film unit relative to said pressure-applying means, said pressure-applying means including means defining a longitudinally extending, asymmetrically configured gap when the film unit is being advanced therebetween, said gap tapering from a maximum thickness at one end to a minimum thickness at a point more than halfway toward its opposite end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of an exposed film unit comprising: pressure-applying means adapted to engage opposite sides of an exposed film unit for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the exposed film unit in a layer having an asymmetrical thickness, as measured in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the film unit relative to said pressure-applying means, said pressure-applying means including means defining a longitudinally extending, asymmetrically configured gap when the film unit is being advanced therebetween, said gap tapering from a maximum thickness at one end to a minimum thickness at a point more than halfway toward its opposite end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said opposite end of said gap is positioned to be engaged by a leading edge of the exposed film unit before or at the time that said one end of said gap is engaged by the leading end of the exposed film unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of an exposed film unit comprising: pressure-applying means adapted to engage opposite sides of an exposed film unit for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the exposed film unit in a layer having an asymmetrical thickness, as measured in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the film unit relative to said pressure-applying means, said pressure-applying means including means defining a longitudinally extending, asymmetrically configured gap when the film unit is being advanced therebetween, said gap tapering from a maximum thickness at one end to a minimum thickness at a location less than one half of the distance between opposite ends of said gap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of an exposed film unit comprising: pressure-applying means adapted to engage opposite sides of an exposed film unit for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the exposed film unit in a layer having an asymmetrical thickness, as measured in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the film unit relative to said pressure-applying means, said pressure-applying means including means defining a longitudinally extending, asymmetrically configured gap when the film unit is being advanced therebetween, said gap tapering from a maximum thickness at one end to a minimum thickness at a location less than one half of the distance between opposite ends of said gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said one end of said gap is adapted to be engaged by a leading edge of the exposed film unit at or after the time that the opposite end of said gap is engaged by the leading end of the film unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said pressure-applying means includes first and second rollers, said first roller having film unit engaging surfaces including first and second end portions and an intermediate portion having a maximum diameter non-uniformly spaced from said first and second end portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said second roller includes film unit engaging portions having similar diameters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said film unit engaging portions of said second roller include an intermediate portion and first and second end portions, said second roller further including a recess located adjacent each end of said intermediate portion of said second roller and said first and second end portions of said second roller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 further including means for establishing a predetermined minimum spacing between said first and second rollers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 5 further including means for rEsiliently biasing one of said first and second rollers toward the other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
214 words
Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of an exposed film unit comprising: pressure-applying means including a first roller having a longitudinally extending symmetrically configured film engaging portion and a second roller having film unit engaging surfaces including first and second end portions, said first and second rollers being adapted to engage opposite sides of an exposed film unit for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the exposed film unit in a layer having an asymmetrical thickness, as measured in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the film unit relative to said pressure-applying means, said pressure-applying means defining a longitudinally extending, asymmetrically configured gap when the film unit is being advanced therebetween, said gap tapering from a maximum thickness at one end to a minimum thickness at a point more than halfway toward its opposite end, said opposite end of said gap being positioned to be engaged by a leading edge of the exposed film unit before or at the time that said one end of said gap is engaged by the leading end of the exposed film unit, said first end portion being located near said opposite end of said gap and having a diameter less than that of said second end portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
214 words
Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of an exposed film unit comprising: pressure-applying means including a first roller having a longitudinally extending symmetrically configured film engaging portion and a second roller having film unit engaging surfaces including first and second end portions, said first and second rollers being adapted to engage opposite sides of an exposed film unit for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the exposed film unit in a layer having an asymmetrical thickness, as measured in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the film unit relative to said pressure-applying means, said pressure-applying means defining a longitudinally extending, asymmetrically configured gap when the film unit is being advanced therebetween, said gap tapering from a maximum thickness at one end to a minimum thickness at a point more than halfway toward its opposite end, said opposite end of said gap being positioned to be engaged by a leading edge of the exposed film unit before or at the time that said one end of said gap is engaged by the leading end of the exposed film unit, said first end portion being located near said opposite end of said gap and having a diameter less than that of said second end portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said second roller includes an intermediate film unit engaging portion located between said first and second end portions, said intermediate film unit engaging portion having a diameter substantially the same as said second end portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said second roller further includes a recess located adjacent each end of said intermediate film unit engaging portion and between said first and second end portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 12 further including means for establishing a predetermined minimum spacing between said first and second rollers to facilitate the entry of the leading edge of the exposed film unit therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 10 further including means for resiliently biasing one of said said first and second rollers toward the other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
115 words
Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing composition in a layer between a pair of elements, at least one of which forms part of a film unit, said apparatus comprising: pressure-applying means including first and second means adapted to define an elongated gap through which a film unit is adapted to be moved; means for mounting said first and second means for relative movement toward and away from each other; and means for applying an asymmetrical biasing force to one of said first and second means during spreading of a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the film unit, whereby said first and second means spreads the processing composition in a layer of non-uniform thickness.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
115 words
Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing composition in a layer between a pair of elements, at least one of which forms part of a film unit, said apparatus comprising: pressure-applying means including first and second means adapted to define an elongated gap through which a film unit is adapted to be moved; means for mounting said first and second means for relative movement toward and away from each other; and means for applying an asymmetrical biasing force to one of said first and second means during spreading of a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the film unit, whereby said first and second means spreads the processing composition in a layer of non-uniform thickness.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said first means is a roller assembly having opposite end portions and said biasing means is mounted for engagement with at least one of said end portions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said biasing means is mounted for engagement with both of said end portions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said biasing means is a torsion spring having opposite ends adapted to engage said end portions of said roller assembly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said opposite end portions of said roller assembly comprise substantially non-rotatable portions of said roller assembly, whereby frictional losses between said opposite ends of said torsion spring and said opposite end portions of said roller assembly are substantially eliminated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
138 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: means for supportIng a film unit having a longitudinal axis in position for exposure; means for engaging the film unit on one side of the longitudinal axis and moving the film unit out of the exposure position subsequent to exposure; and pressure-applying means adapted to engage opposite sides of the exposed film unit for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer thereof in a layer having an asymmetrical thickness, as measured in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the exposed film unit relative to said pressure-applying means, said pressure-applying means including means defining a longitudinally extending, asymmetrically configured gap when the film unit is being advanced therebetween, said gap tapering from a maximum thickness at one end to a minimum thickness at a point more than halfway toward its opposite end.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
138 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: means for supportIng a film unit having a longitudinal axis in position for exposure; means for engaging the film unit on one side of the longitudinal axis and moving the film unit out of the exposure position subsequent to exposure; and pressure-applying means adapted to engage opposite sides of the exposed film unit for spreading a processing composition across a photosensitive layer thereof in a layer having an asymmetrical thickness, as measured in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the exposed film unit relative to said pressure-applying means, said pressure-applying means including means defining a longitudinally extending, asymmetrically configured gap when the film unit is being advanced therebetween, said gap tapering from a maximum thickness at one end to a minimum thickness at a point more than halfway toward its opposite end.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said pressure-applying means includes first and second rollers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said first roller includes a film unit engaging portion having a substantially longitudinally extending symmetrical configuration and said second roller includes film unit engaging portions of different diameters.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 22 further including means for biasing one of said first and second rollers toward the other.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said first roller includes a film unit engaging portion of candlepin configuration with its maximum diameter located closer to one end of said film unit engaging portion than to its opposite end and said second roller includes film unit engaging portions of substantially identical diameters.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 24 further including means for biasing one of said first and second rollers toward the other.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
166 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: means for supporting a film unit having a longitudinal axis in position for exposure; means for engaging the film unit on one side of the longitudinal axis and moving the film unit out of the exposure position subsequent to exposure; pressure-applying means mounted in position to receive the exposed film unit as it moves away from the exposure position, said pressure-applying means including first and second means adapted to define an elongated gap through which the film unit is adapted to be moved; means for mounting said first and second means for relative movement toward and away from each other; and means for applying an asymmetrically biasing force to one of said first and second means to spread a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the film unit, said asymmetrical biasing force being greatest on the longitudinal side of the film unit engaged by said means for engaging, whereby said pressure-applying means spreads the processing composition in a layer of non-uniform thickness.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
166 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: means for supporting a film unit having a longitudinal axis in position for exposure; means for engaging the film unit on one side of the longitudinal axis and moving the film unit out of the exposure position subsequent to exposure; pressure-applying means mounted in position to receive the exposed film unit as it moves away from the exposure position, said pressure-applying means including first and second means adapted to define an elongated gap through which the film unit is adapted to be moved; means for mounting said first and second means for relative movement toward and away from each other; and means for applying an asymmetrically biasing force to one of said first and second means to spread a processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the film unit, said asymmetrical biasing force being greatest on the longitudinal side of the film unit engaged by said means for engaging, whereby said pressure-applying means spreads the processing composition in a layer of non-uniform thickness.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein said first means is a roller assembly having opposite end portions and said biasing means is mounted for engagement with at least one of said end portions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein said biasing means is mounted for engagement with both of said end portions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said biasing means is a torsion spring having opposite ends adapted to engage said end portions of said roller assembly.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said opposite end portions of said roller assembly comprise substantially non-rotatable portions of said roller assembly, whereby frictional losses between said opposite end of said torsion spring and said opposite end portions of said roller assembly are substantially eliminated.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
164 words
Photographic apparatus for use with a film unit having leading and trailing edges interconnected by spaced side edges and a container of processing composition located adjacent The leading edge which is adapted to be ruptured prior to spreading the processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the film unit and toward the trailing edge, comprising: means for locating the film unit in position for exposure; means for engaging the film unit at its trailing edge adjacent one of the side edges for applying a canting movement to the film unit as it is advanced out of the exposure position, subsequent to exposure; and pressure-applying means for spreading the processing composition across the photosensitive layer in a layer having an asymmetrical thickness as measured in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the exposed film unit relative to said pressure-applying means, said pressure-applying means including means adapted to define a longitudinally extending, asymmetrically configured gap when the film unit is being advanced therethrough.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
164 words
Photographic apparatus for use with a film unit having leading and trailing edges interconnected by spaced side edges and a container of processing composition located adjacent The leading edge which is adapted to be ruptured prior to spreading the processing composition across a photosensitive layer of the film unit and toward the trailing edge, comprising: means for locating the film unit in position for exposure; means for engaging the film unit at its trailing edge adjacent one of the side edges for applying a canting movement to the film unit as it is advanced out of the exposure position, subsequent to exposure; and pressure-applying means for spreading the processing composition across the photosensitive layer in a layer having an asymmetrical thickness as measured in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the exposed film unit relative to said pressure-applying means, said pressure-applying means including means adapted to define a longitudinally extending, asymmetrically configured gap when the film unit is being advanced therethrough.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein said gap tapers from a maximum depth near one end to a minimum depth near its opposite end.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
74 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said opposite end of said gap is adapted to be engaged by a portion of the leading edge of the exposed film unit located adjacent the one side edge before or at the time that said one end of said gap is engaged by a portion of the leading edge of the exposed film unit located adjacent the other side edge of the exposed film unit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein said gap tapers from a maximum depth at one end to a minimum depth at a point more than halfway toward its opposite end.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
67 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein said opposite end of said gap is adapted to be engaged by a portion of the leading edge of the exposed film unit located adjacent the one side edge before or at the time that a portion of the leading edge of the exposed film unit located adjacent the other side edge engages said one end of said gap.
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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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |