US4857964A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for printing customized photographic prints
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1988-05-02
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Granted: 1989-08-15
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Expires: 2008-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A photographic printer is provided for producing customized photographic prints including a customer-supplied image and an operator-selected artwork. The printer includes a new and improved film gate for supporting at least one printable artwork substantially coplanar with and adjacent to the customer-supplied artwork. The film gate further includes means for supporting a neutral density filter in registry with the artwork. In operation, the printer lamphouse and printing lens are used to print the artwork, during the same exposure as the negative, in a selected position relative to the negative. The printer can be used, for example, to produce customized greeting cards including a customer-supplied image and a holiday greeting.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Pohlman
- 👤 Joseph A. Manico
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:29
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/62; G03B27/6271; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/0046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A photographic printer for exposing a film image and a print image onto a photosensitive medium, the printer comprising: a. base means for supporting the film image, the base means including a first side, an opposing second side, a first opening extending between the first and second sides over which the film image is supported, and a second opening extending between the first and second sides; b. means for supporting the print image; c. a single light source for projecting light (i) through the first opening to expose the film image onto the photosensitive medium and (ii) through the second opening; d. first means for filtering the light prior to reaching the photosensitive medium; e. means for connecting the print image supporting means to the base means in a manner that the print image supporting means is movable to a first location in general alignment with the second opening to allow the light to expose the print image onto the photosensitive medium; and f. means for connecting the filtering means to the base means in a manner that the filtering means is movable to a second location in general alignment with the second opening in order to filter the light travelling through the second opening which exposes the print image onto the photosensitive medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A photographic printer for exposing a film image and a print image onto a photosensitive medium, the printer comprising: a. base means for supporting the film image, the base means including a first side, an opposing second side, a first opening extending between the first and second sides over which the film image is supported, and a second opening extending between the first and second sides; b. means for supporting the print image; c. a single light source for projecting light (i) through the first opening to expose the film image onto the photosensitive medium and (ii) through the second opening; d. first means for filtering the light prior to reaching the photosensitive medium; e. means for connecting the print image supporting means to the base means in a manner that the print image supporting means is movable to a first location in general alignment with the second opening to allow the light to expose the print image onto the photosensitive medium; and f. means for connecting the filtering means to the base means in a manner that the filtering means is movable to a second location in general alignment with the second opening in order to filter the light travelling through the second opening which exposes the print image onto the photosensitive medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The printer as set forth in claim 1 additionally comprising second means for filtering the light which exposes the film image onto the photosensitive medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The printer as set forth in claim 1 additionally comprising: a. shaft means, having an axis, which extend through the base means; b. means for connecting the print image supporting means to the shaft means in a manner that the print image supporting means is rotatable about the shaft axis to the first location; and c. means for connecting the filtering means to the shaft means in a manner that the filtering means is rotatable about the shaft axis to the second location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The photographic printer as set forth in claim 3 wherein the print image supporting means is located at the first side of the base means and the filtering means is located at the second side of the base means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The photographic printer as set forth in claim 4 wherein the print image supporting means is located coplanar with a plane of the film image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
195 words
A photographic printer for exposing a film image and a print image onto a photosensitive medium, the printer comprising: a. base means having first and second openings therethrough, the base means including a first alignment member; b. means, attached to the base means, for supporting the film image in general alignment with the first opening; c. means, having a second alignment member, for supporting the print image; d. means for projecting light (i) through the first opening to expose the film image onto the photosensitive medium and (ii) through the second opening; and e. means for connecting the print image supporting means to the base means in a manner that the print image supporting means is movable from (i) a first position where the second alignment member of the print image supporting means engages the first alignment member of the base means to secure the print image in general alignment with the second opening in order to expose the print image onto the photosensitive medium, and (ii) a second position where the second alignment member does not engage the first alignment member and the print image is not in general alignment with the second opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
A photographic printer for exposing a film image and a print image onto a photosensitive medium, the printer comprising: a. base means having first and second openings therethrough, the base means including a first alignment member; b. means, attached to the base means, for supporting the film image in general alignment with the first opening; c. means, having a second alignment member, for supporting the print image; d. means for projecting light (i) through the first opening to expose the film image onto the photosensitive medium and (ii) through the second opening; and e. means for connecting the print image supporting means to the base means in a manner that the print image supporting means is movable from (i) a first position where the second alignment member of the print image supporting means engages the first alignment member of the base means to secure the print image in general alignment with the second opening in order to expose the print image onto the photosensitive medium, and (ii) a second position where the second alignment member does not engage the first alignment member and the print image is not in general alignment with the second opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
The printer as set forth in claim 6 wherein the connecting means includes (i) shaft means, having a shaft axis, for connecting the print image supporting means to the base means, (ii) means for allowing movement of the print image supporting means away from the base means so that the print image supporting member can be moved about the shaft axis to align the first and second alignment means, as well as (iii) means for allowing movement of the print image support means toward the base means when the first alignment member and the second alignment member are in alignment so that the first alignment member and the second alignment member can be engaged in order to secure the print image in general alignment with the second opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
The printer as set forth in claim 7 wherein: a. the first alignment member extends upwardly from the base means to engage the second alignment member in the first position; and b. the connecting means includes means for moving the print image supporting means away from the base means on the shaft means so that the second alignment member is clear of the first alignment member to permit movement of the print image support means about the shaft axis.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for exposing a film image and a print image onto a photosensitive medium, the method comprising the steps of: a. supporting the film image by base means which have a first opening over which the film image is supported, and a second opening; b. providing a support for the print image; c. projecting light from a single source (i) through the first opening to expose the film image onto the photosensitive medium and (ii) through the second opening; d. providing a filter for the light prior to reaching the photosensitive medium; e. connecting the print image support to the base means in a manner that the print image support is movable to a first location in general alignment with the second opening to allow the light to expose the print image onto the photosensitive medium; and f. connecting the filter to the base means in a manner that the filter is movable to a second location in general alignment with the second opening in order to filter the light travelling through the second opening when exposing the print image onto the photosensitive medium.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for exposing a film image and a print image onto a photosensitive medium, the method comprising the steps of: a. supporting the film image by base means which have a first opening over which the film image is supported, and a second opening; b. providing a support for the print image; c. projecting light from a single source (i) through the first opening to expose the film image onto the photosensitive medium and (ii) through the second opening; d. providing a filter for the light prior to reaching the photosensitive medium; e. connecting the print image support to the base means in a manner that the print image support is movable to a first location in general alignment with the second opening to allow the light to expose the print image onto the photosensitive medium; and f. connecting the filter to the base means in a manner that the filter is movable to a second location in general alignment with the second opening in order to filter the light travelling through the second opening when exposing the print image onto the photosensitive medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 additionally comprising the steps of: a. connecting the print image support to the base means by shaft means, having a shaft axis, in a manner that the print image support is rotatable about the shaft axis to the first location; and c. connecting the filter to the shaft means in a manner that the filter is rotatable about the shaft axis to the second location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
177 words
A photographic printer for exposing a film image and a print image onto a photosensitive medium, the printer comprising: a. base means for supporting the film image, the base means including a first side, an opposing second side, a first opening extending between the first and second sides, and a second opening extending between the first and second sides; b. means for supporting the film image in general alignment with the first opening; c. means for supporting the print image in general alignment with the second opening and generally coplanar with a plane of the film image; d. a single light source for projecting light (i) through the first opening to expose the film image onto the photosensitive medium and (ii) through the second opening to expose simultaneously the print image onto the photosensitive medium; and e. means for selectively controlling the light projected from the light source through the second opening and print image independently of the light projected from the light source through the first opening and film image prior to reaching the photosensitive medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
177 words
A photographic printer for exposing a film image and a print image onto a photosensitive medium, the printer comprising: a. base means for supporting the film image, the base means including a first side, an opposing second side, a first opening extending between the first and second sides, and a second opening extending between the first and second sides; b. means for supporting the film image in general alignment with the first opening; c. means for supporting the print image in general alignment with the second opening and generally coplanar with a plane of the film image; d. a single light source for projecting light (i) through the first opening to expose the film image onto the photosensitive medium and (ii) through the second opening to expose simultaneously the print image onto the photosensitive medium; and e. means for selectively controlling the light projected from the light source through the second opening and print image independently of the light projected from the light source through the first opening and film image prior to reaching the photosensitive medium.
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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) | 1992-08-14 | 1993-02-13 | 1993-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-14 | 1997-02-13 | 1997-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-14 | 2001-02-13 | 2001-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |