Photographic film assemblage with resilient pad under processing solution container

Claim 2

PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSEMBLAGE FOR LOCATING AT LEAST ONE FILM UNIT IN A PREDETERMINED LOCATION, THE ONE FILM UNIT COMPRISING SA PLURALITY OF LAYERS, INCLUDING PHOTOSENSITIVE AND IMAGERECEIVING LAYERS, AND A CONTAINER OF FLUID PROCESSING COMPOSITION AT ONE END OF THE FILM UNIT, THE FLUID BEING ADAPTED TO BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN A PREDETERMINED PAIR OF LAYERS, SAID ASSEMBLAGE COMPRISING: MEANS FOR URGING THE ONE FILM UNIT TOWARDS THE PREDETERMINED LOCATION, SAID URGING MEANS BEING POSITIONED SO THAT THE ONE FILM UNIT IS INTERMEDIATE THE PREDETERMINED LOCATION AND SAID URGING MEANS; AND RESILIENT MEANS POSITIONED BETWEEN THE ONE FILM UNIT AND SAID URGING MEANS FOR PREVENTING DIRECT ENGAGEMENT OF SAID URGING MEANS WITH THE ONE FILM UNIT IN THE AREA OF THE CONTAINER OF FLUID.

Claim 3

Photograpic assemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein the one film unit is adapted to be advanced relative to said resilient means and said assemblage further includes means defining a low friction surface between said resilient means and the one film unit to facilitate advancement of the one film unit over the resilient means, said low friction surface having a coefficient of friction lower than The coefficient of friction of said resilient means.

Claim 4

Photographic assemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relationship are adapted to be located between the predetermined location and said urging means with a forwardmost film unit in the stack being closest to the predetermined location and a rearwardmost film unit in the stack being furthest from the predetermined location, the stack of film units being intermediate the predetermined location and said urging means and said resilient means being positioned between said urging means and the rearwardmost film unit for preventing direct engagement of said urging means with the rearwardmost film unit in the area of its container of fluid.

Claim 5

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a film container for holding at least one film unit, said film container including a forward wall; at least one film unit in said film container, said film unit comprising a plurality of layers, including photosensitive and image-receiving layers, and a container of fluid processing composition at one end of said film unit, said fluid being adapted to be distributed between a predetermined pair of layers; means within said film container for urging said one film unit towards said forward wall; and resilient means positioned between said urging means and said one film for preventing direct enagement of said urging means with said one film unit in the area of said container of fluid.

Claim 6

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a film container for holding at least one film unit, said film container including a forward wall; at least one film unit in said film container, said film unit comprising a plurality of layers, including photosensitive and image-receiving layers, and a container of fluid processing composition at one end of said film unit, said fluid being adapted to be distributed between a predetermined pair of layers; means within said film container for urging said one film unit towards said forward wall; and resilient means positioned between said urging means and said one film for preventing direct enagement of said urging means with said one film unit in the area of said container of fluid.

Claim 7

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 4 wherein said container of fluid is of given dimensions and said resilient means is dimensioned to be substantially coextensive with said container of fluid.

Claim 8

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 4 wherein said film container further includes an end wall having a withdrawal slot therein through which said one film unit is adapted to be advanced and said assemblage further includes means defining a surface between said resilient means and said one film unit in the area of said container of fluid, said surface having a lower coefficient of friction than said resilient means to facilitate advancement of said one film unit over said resilient means and through said withdrawal slot.

Claim 9

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 4 wherein there are a plurality of said film units arranged in stacked relationship within said film container between said forward wall and said urging means with a forwardmost film unit in said stack being closest to said forward wall of said film container and a rearwardmost film unit in said stack being furthest from said forward wall, said resilient means being positioned between said rearwardmost film unit and said urging means to prevent direct engagement of said urging means with said rearwardmost film unit in the area of its said container of fluid.

Claim 10

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 7 wherein said film container further includes a rear wall spaced from said forward wall and a light transmission section in said forward wall and said assemblage further includes an electrical battery positioned between said rear wall and said urging means, and a dark slide positioned between said forward wall and said forwardmost film unit for blocking light passing through said light transmission section and thereby preventing exposure of said forwardmost film unit.

Claim 11

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 4 wherein said resilient means is compressible in response to a first given force being applied thereto and said urging means is compressible in response to a second given force being applied thereto, said second given force being greater than said first given force

Claim 12

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a film container for holding a plurality of film units, said container including a forward wall and an end wall having a film withdrawal slot therein; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relationship within said film containEr with a forwardmost film unit in said stack being closest to said forward wall and a rearwardmost film unit in said stack being furthest from said forward wall, each of said plurality of film units comprising a plurality of layers, including photosensitive and image-receiving layers, and a container of fluid processing composition at one end of said each film unit, said fluid being adapted to be distributed between a predetermined pair of said layers, said plurality of film units being arranged in said stack with said containers of fluid being adjacent said end wall of said film container; means located behind said rearwardmost film unit for urging said stack of film units towards said forward wall, said urging means including a portion thereof located in underlying relationship to said container of fluid of said rearwardmost film unit; and resilient means positioned between said portion of said urging means and said rearwardmost film unit in said stack for preventing direct engagement of said portion of said urging means with said rearwardmost film unit in the area of its said container of fluid.

Claim 13

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a film container for holding a plurality of film units, said container including a forward wall and an end wall having a film withdrawal slot therein; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relationship within said film containEr with a forwardmost film unit in said stack being closest to said forward wall and a rearwardmost film unit in said stack being furthest from said forward wall, each of said plurality of film units comprising a plurality of layers, including photosensitive and image-receiving layers, and a container of fluid processing composition at one end of said each film unit, said fluid being adapted to be distributed between a predetermined pair of said layers, said plurality of film units being arranged in said stack with said containers of fluid being adjacent said end wall of said film container; means located behind said rearwardmost film unit for urging said stack of film units towards said forward wall, said urging means including a portion thereof located in underlying relationship to said container of fluid of said rearwardmost film unit; and resilient means positioned between said portion of said urging means and said rearwardmost film unit in said stack for preventing direct engagement of said portion of said urging means with said rearwardmost film unit in the area of its said container of fluid.

Claim 14

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 10 wherein said forwardmost film unit in said stack is adapted to be advanced through said withdrawal slot, and said assemblage further includes means defining a low friction surface between said resilient means and said rearwardmost film unit to facilitate the advancement of said rearwardmost film unit over said resilient means when said rearwardmost film unit is advanced through said withdrawal slot, said low friction surface having a coefficient of friction lower than the coefficient of friction of said resilient means.

Claim 15

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 10 wherein said film units are substantially flat and rectangular and said urging means includes a spring biased rectangular platen dimensioned to apply an urging force to the peripheral margins of said rearwardmost film unit, said portion of said urging means including a portion of said platen underlying said container of fluid of said rearwardmost film unit.

Claim 16

Photographic assemblage for locating at least one film unit in a predetermined location, the one film unit comprising a plurality of layers, including photosensitive and image-receiving layers, and a container of fluid processing composition at one end of the film unit, the fluid being adapted to be distributed between a predetermined pair of layers, said assemblage comprising: means for urging the one film unit towards the predetermined location, said urging means being positioned so that the one film unit is intermediate the predetermined location and said urging means; and a resiliently compressible pad positioned between the one film unit and said urging means in alignment with the film unit container of fluid for preventing direct engagement of said urging means with the one film unit in the area of the container of fluid.

Claim 17

Photographic assemblage for locating at least one film unit in a predetermined location, the one film unit comprising a plurality of layers, including photosensitive and image-receiving layers, and a container of fluid processing composition at one end of the film unit, the fluid being adapted to be distributed between a predetermined pair of layers, said assemblage comprising: means for urging the one film unit towards the predetermined location, said urging means being positioned so that the one film unit is intermediate the predetermined location and said urging means; and a resiliently compressible pad positioned between the one film unit and said urging means in alignment with the film unit container of fluid for preventing direct engagement of said urging means with the one film unit in the area of the container of fluid.

Claim 18

Photographic assemblage as defined in claim 13 wherein said resiliently compressible pad is formed of a polyurethane foam material.

Claim 19

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a film container for holding at least one film unit, said film container including a forward wall; at least one film unit in said film container, said film unit comprising a plurality of layers, including photosensitive and image-receiving layers, and a container of fluid processing composition at one end of said film unit, said fluid being adapted to be distributed between a predetermined pair of layers, means within said film container for urging said one film unit towards said forward wall; and a resilient pad formed of a polyurethane foam positioned between said urging means and said one film unit for preventing direct engagement of said urging means with said one film unit in the area of said container of fluid.

Claim 20

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a film container for holding at least one film unit, said film container including a forward wall; at least one film unit in said film container, said film unit comprising a plurality of layers, including photosensitive and image-receiving layers, and a container of fluid processing composition at one end of said film unit, said fluid being adapted to be distributed between a predetermined pair of layers, means within said film container for urging said one film unit towards said forward wall; and a resilient pad formed of a polyurethane foam positioned between said urging means and said one film unit for preventing direct engagement of said urging means with said one film unit in the area of said container of fluid.

Claim 21

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 15 wherein said polyurethane foam is a 97 percent Open cell structure having 80 pores per inch and weighing approximately 1.5 lbs. per cubic foot.

Claim 22

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a film container for holding a plurality of film units, said container including a forward wall and an end wall having a film withdrawal slot therein; a plurality of substantially flat and rectangular film units arranged in stacked relationship within said film container with a forwardmost film unit in said stack being closest to said forward wall and a rearwardmost film unit in said stack being furthest from said forward wall, each of said plurality of film units comprising a plurality of layers, including photosensitive and image-receiving layers, and a container of fluid processing composition at one end of said each film unit, said fluid being adapted to be distributed between a predetermined pair of said layers, said plurality of film units being arranged in said stack with said containers of fluid being adjacent said end wall of said film container; means located behind said rearwardmost film unit for urging said stack of film units toward said forward wall, said urging means including a spring biased rectangular platen dimensioned to apply an urging force to the peripheral margins of said rearwardmost film unit, said platen including a portion thereof underlying said container of fluid of said rearwardmost film unit; and a resilient polyurethane foam pad positioned on said portion of said platen in underlying relation to said container of fluid of said rearwardmost film unit for preventing direct engagement of said portion of said platen with said rearwardmost film unit in the area of its said container of fluid, said pad being dimensioned so as to be substantially coextensive with said container of fluid of said rearwardmost film unit.

Claim 23

A photographic film assemblage comprising: a film container for holding a plurality of film units, said container including a forward wall and an end wall having a film withdrawal slot therein; a plurality of substantially flat and rectangular film units arranged in stacked relationship within said film container with a forwardmost film unit in said stack being closest to said forward wall and a rearwardmost film unit in said stack being furthest from said forward wall, each of said plurality of film units comprising a plurality of layers, including photosensitive and image-receiving layers, and a container of fluid processing composition at one end of said each film unit, said fluid being adapted to be distributed between a predetermined pair of said layers, said plurality of film units being arranged in said stack with said containers of fluid being adjacent said end wall of said film container; means located behind said rearwardmost film unit for urging said stack of film units toward said forward wall, said urging means including a spring biased rectangular platen dimensioned to apply an urging force to the peripheral margins of said rearwardmost film unit, said platen including a portion thereof underlying said container of fluid of said rearwardmost film unit; and a resilient polyurethane foam pad positioned on said portion of said platen in underlying relation to said container of fluid of said rearwardmost film unit for preventing direct engagement of said portion of said platen with said rearwardmost film unit in the area of its said container of fluid, said pad being dimensioned so as to be substantially coextensive with said container of fluid of said rearwardmost film unit.

Claim 24

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 17 further including a low friction cover sheet positioned over said platen and said resilient pad, said cover sheet including a surface, facing said rearwardmost film unit, having a coefficient of friction which is lower than the coefficient of friction of said polyurethane foam resilient pad.

Claim 25

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 18 wherein said film container includes an opening therein for receiving externally mounted means for engaging and advancing said forwardmost film unit through said withdrawal slot and said cover sheet includes a cut-out portion located in underlying relationship to said opening to prevent any interference between said cover sheet and the externally mounted film advancing means when said rearwardmost film unit is located in position for advancement through said withdrawal slot.

Claim 26

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 17 wherein said resilient pad is parallelepiped shaped and has a thickness dimension, measured between said portion of said platen and said container of fluid of said rearwardmost film unit, of approximately 0.086 inch.

Claim 27

A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 20 wherein said resilient pad is formed of a 97 percent open-celled polyurethane foam having 80 pores per inch and weighing approximately 1.5 lbs. per cubic foot.