US4140383A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transport mechanism for a photographic film processor
Assignee: CUBIC PRODUCTRON Inc
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Filing: 1976-12-10
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Granted: 1979-02-20
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Expires: 1996-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for engaging and moving a film strip through a light-tight processor having tanks of processing chemicals, including a film clip which fastens to the front of the film and which has a rearwardly-facing opening, and a pickup member which enters the opening in the film clip to drag it and the film strip through the tanks of chemicals.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/02; G03D3/06; G03D3/08; G03D3/13; G03D3/135; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86236
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A film processor system for processing a film strip comprising: a film clip designed to be fastened to the front end of a film strip, said clip having a rearwardly-facing opening; a light-tight processor frame; a plurality of tanks disposed on said frame for holding processing chemicals; a clip-engaging member formed to fit into said opening of said clip to engage and pull it; and moving means including belt means extending into and out of said tanks, for moving said clip-engaging member along a predetermined path which includes a portion that extends into and out of said tanks, to drag the film strip through said tanks; said frame being constructed to hold a film with a film clip fastened thereto, so the clip lies in the path of said clip-engaging member at a portion of the frame which is light-tight, and with the opening of the clip facing rearwardly with respect to said path so that the clip-engaging member enters said opening as it moves along said path, to pick up said clip and drag it and the film fastened thereto along said path portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A film processor system for processing a film strip comprising: a film clip designed to be fastened to the front end of a film strip, said clip having a rearwardly-facing opening; a light-tight processor frame; a plurality of tanks disposed on said frame for holding processing chemicals; a clip-engaging member formed to fit into said opening of said clip to engage and pull it; and moving means including belt means extending into and out of said tanks, for moving said clip-engaging member along a predetermined path which includes a portion that extends into and out of said tanks, to drag the film strip through said tanks; said frame being constructed to hold a film with a film clip fastened thereto, so the clip lies in the path of said clip-engaging member at a portion of the frame which is light-tight, and with the opening of the clip facing rearwardly with respect to said path so that the clip-engaging member enters said opening as it moves along said path, to pick up said clip and drag it and the film fastened thereto along said path portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system described in claim 1 including: a film strip having a forward end portion with a pair of laterally-spaced holes therein; and wherein said film clip includes a clip member with a pair of film-engaging parts, each part forming a loop with one side extending through a hole in said film strip and said loop extending closely around the forward edge of the wall of the hole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
The system described in claim 1 wherein: said processor frame forms a substantially light-tight housing along most of said film path, and includes an opening for receiving said film strip; and including a cartridge holding a film strip, said cartridge attached to said processor over said opening therein, and with the front end of said film strip extending into said opening in said housing and extending parallel to said belt means, said film clip attached to the front of said film strip and lying in the path of said clip-engaging member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
175 words
A film processor system for processing a film strip comprising: a clip having a pair of spaced film-holding parts which can engage a film, and a bar connecting said film-holding parts, each film-holding part including a bent-over portion that can fit closely around a film and another portion that can receive a clip-engaging member; a light-tight processor frame; a plurality of tanks disposed on said frame for holding processing chemicals; a clip-engaging member formed to engage said clip and pull it; and pg,21 moving means including belt means extending into and out of said tanks, for moving said clip-engaging member along a predetermined path which includes a portion that extends into and out of said tanks, to drag the film strip through said tanks; said frame being constructed to hold a film with a film clip fastened thereto, so the clip lies in the path of said clip-engaging member at a portion of the frame which is light-tight, to pick up said clip and drag it and the film fastened thereto along said path portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
175 words
A film processor system for processing a film strip comprising: a clip having a pair of spaced film-holding parts which can engage a film, and a bar connecting said film-holding parts, each film-holding part including a bent-over portion that can fit closely around a film and another portion that can receive a clip-engaging member; a light-tight processor frame; a plurality of tanks disposed on said frame for holding processing chemicals; a clip-engaging member formed to engage said clip and pull it; and pg,21 moving means including belt means extending into and out of said tanks, for moving said clip-engaging member along a predetermined path which includes a portion that extends into and out of said tanks, to drag the film strip through said tanks; said frame being constructed to hold a film with a film clip fastened thereto, so the clip lies in the path of said clip-engaging member at a portion of the frame which is light-tight, to pick up said clip and drag it and the film fastened thereto along said path portion.
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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) | 1982-02-19 | 1982-08-21 | 1983-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-19 | 1986-08-21 | 1987-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-19 | 1990-08-21 | 1991-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |