US3635139A

US3635139A - Photographic film-unit assemblage

Info

Publication number: US3635139A
Application number: US77473A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph D Guite Sr
Original assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Current assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date: 1970-10-02
Filing date: 1970-10-02
Publication date: 1972-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-18

Abstract

An improved assemblage of integral self-processing film units interconnected by a foldable web for transporting the film units in cooperating photographic apparatus is disclosed. The web is adapted, by a series of longitudinally extending flaps cut from the web, to lie flat and support the film units in closely spaced succession on a common plane when the web is unfolded, and to support the film units in superposed relationship when the web is folded in a zigzag configuration for use in the cooperating photographic apparatus.

Description

Unite States Patent Guite, Sr.

[ 4] PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM- UNIT ASSEMBLAGE 72] Inventor: Joseph D,Guite,Sr.,Rochester;N.Y.

[73] Assignee: I

22 Filed: 0ct.2, 1970 -211 Appl.No.: 77,473

52 u.s.c| .(95/1335/19 511 int. Cl. ..G03b 17/50 [58] FieldotSearch ..9s/1a,19,22

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,054,691 3/1913 Hopkins. 95/22 Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester,

[ Jan. 18, 1972 1,103,417 7/1914 Hopkins 95/22- 3,270,642 9/1966 Nerwin ..95/l3 Primary Examiner-Join M. Horan Assistant Examiner- Alan Mathews Attomey-Robert W. Hampton and William C. Dixon, 111

[ ABSTRACT An improved assemblage of integral sew-processing film units interconnected by a foldable web for transporting the film units in cooperating photographic apparatus is disclosed. The web is adapted, by a series of longitudinally extending flaps cut from the web, to lie flat and support the film units in closely spaced succession on a common plane when the web is unfolded, and to support the film units in superposed relationship when the web is folded in a zigzag configuration for use in the cooperating photographic apparatus- 24 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEnJm'lamz 3,635; 139

SHEET 1 BF 3 INVENTOR.

BY 0%.... CT&,Z-., a

M w. ATTORNEYS JOSEPH D. GUITE,SR.

PATENTED JMH 8 m2 SHEET 2 BF 3 FIG.6

JOSEPH D. GUIT E,SR.

INVENTOR.

BY z

ATTORNEYS PATENIEnJmm 316351 SHEET 3 [1F 3 JOSEPH D. GU|TE,SR.

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM-UNIT ASSEMBLAGE CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is made to commonly assigned, copending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 033,677, entitled PHOTO- GRAPHIC APPARATUS and filed May 1, 1970 in the name of Donald M. Harvey.

Reference is made to commonly assigned, copending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 77,511, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS and filed on even date herewith in the name of Donald M. Harvey.

Reference is made to commonly assigned, copending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 77,512, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM-UNIT ASSEMBLAGE and filed on even date herewith in the name of Donald M. Harvey.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to photographic film units of the self-processing type, and particularly to improved assemblages of integral self-processing film units comprising a photosensitive element and a process sheet or second element permanently secured in overlying relationship to the photosensitive element.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is well known in the photographic arts to provide film units with materials for processing the units immediately after their exposure. Generally such units include a photosensitive element, comprising a support having thereon at least one layer of photosensitive material, and a second element adapted to be registered over the photosensitive element for processing. A viscous processing composition is released from a rupturable pod at one end of the unit and is spread toward the other end by passing the unit between juxtaposed pressure-applying members that distribute the composition in a layer of predetermined thickness between the two elements. The distributed composition then permeates the layers of the unit to effect development of the photosensitive layer(s), and an image-wise distribution of dye or silver diffuses to or is formed on an image-receiving layer in either the photosensitive or second element to form the finished print.

In most presently commercial film units, generally referred to as being of the peel-apart type, the photosensitive and second elements are separated before and during exposure and thereafter are brought into superposition for processing. The image-receiving layer is in the second element, and that element is stripped from the rest of the unit after processing to provide a positive, right-reading print. Such units are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,080,805 and No. 3,51 1,659.

This invention is concerned with a more recently developed type of film unit, generally referred to as a preregistered or integral unit, in which a photosensitive element and a process sheet or second element are supplied as a permanently registered, integral pair. The elements of such a unit are superposed prior to exposure and remain superposed after processing. The process sheet or second element is transparent to permit exposure of the photosensitive material from the top side of the unit, and the image-receiving layer is located in either the process sheet, or preferably, the photosensitive element to provide a positive image that does not need to be stripped from the rest of the unit. Film units of the type having the image-receiving layer located in the process sheet are disclosed, for example, in French Pat. Nos. 2,006,255 and 2,006,256, granted to Polaroid Corporation and published Dec. 26, 1969. Film units of the type having the image-receiving layer located in the photosensitive element are disclosed, for example, in commonly assigned, copending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 027,990, entitled PHOTO- GRAPHIC FILM UNIT FOR DIFFUSION TRANSFER PROCESSING, filed Apr. 13, 1970 in the name of H. E. Cole.

An assemblage of the latter type of film units and cooperating photographic apparatus are disclosed in commonly as signed, copending U.S..Pat. Application Ser. No. 033,677, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS and filed May 1, 1970 in the name of Donald M. Harvey. The assemblage there described comprises a plurality of film units whose per- .manently registered, integral pairs of elements are relatively stiff and are strippably attached to a relatively flexible web, by which the integral pairs of elements are transported within and out of a self-processing camera and from which the pairs of elements are separated by moving the web in a direction divergent from the direction of travel of the elements themselves. Pods of processing fluid and traps for receiving and retaining any excess fluid cooperate with the paired elements during processing but are securely adhered to and remain with the web upon stripping of the elements from the web. The web, pods, traps, and other processing waste material then are ad vanced into a storage device for later disposal, the cooperating apparatus including a combined cartridge and storage device so that the waste material need never be handled by the camera operator either upon inserting the cartridge into the camera or upon disposing of the'cartridge after removal from the camera.

The assemblage there describedposes the disadvantage of having the unit-transporting web at least twice as long as the collective length of the film units secured thereto, which results from the spacing of succeeding film units along the length of the web by a distance slightly exceeding the length of a single film unit. Such spacing of the film units, causing a pitch of approximately twice the film-unit length, is a consequence of the manner in which the film units are interconnected by the web when they are stacked in superposed relationship for use in the cooperating apparatus, whereby the web extends from the trailing end of the top unit in the stack forwardly to the leading end of the next succeeding unit immediately beneath the top unit, and similarly between succeeding units on down the stack. Not only is one whole unitlength of web material between succeeding film units costly and wasteful of web material but such length of web material also requires an excessive amount of web movement, and hence time, in order for the paired elements of the film units to be transported within and out of the camera. Moreover, the storage device in the cooperating apparatus, and hence the camera itself, needed to receive and store such length of web material after the paired elements have been transported out of the camera must be larger than would be necessary with a shorter web. To overcome the disadvantages encountered in that type of film-unit assemblage, an improved assemblage, having a shorter length of unit-transporting web material between succeeding film units and yet capable of being arranged with the units stacked in superposed relationship while being operably interconnected by the web for ready use in the cooperating apparatus, is disclosed in commonly assigned, copending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 77,512, entitled PHOTOGRAPl-IIC FILM-UNIT ASSEMBLAGE and filed concurrently with this application in the name of Donald M. Harvey. Improved apparatus adapted to cooperate with such an improved assemblage also is disclosed in that application and in commonly assigned, copending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 77,511, entitled PI-IOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS and filed concurrently with this application in the name of Donald M. Harvey. In all the disclosed embodiments of such an improved assemblage, the unibtransporting web comprises a plurality of pieces of web material which are joined together in a shingled or overlapping manner, resulting in a web having a double thickness of web material under each of the film units supported by the web. Such a web, fabricated from a plurality of parts pieced together, obviously is more complicated and uses more web material, and is therefore more costly to manufacture, than would be a web that does not have to be fabricated. Also, with a web that has been fabricated from a plurality of parts there is a possibility that one or more of its component parts may become loose or detached from the remainder of the web during use in the cooperating apparatus. Moreover, because of the double thickness of web material under each of the film units supported by such a web, there results a greater buildup of web material in the web storage device of the cooperating apparatus, thereby requiring more space for such a device and hence a larger overall size of apparatus. To overcome such disadvantages of a fabricated web, a further improved assemblage, having a unit-transporting web that is not fabricated from a plurality of parts and that has only one thickness of web material under each of the film units supported by the web, is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved assemblage of integral self-processing film units interconnected by a unit-transporting web that has not been fabricated from a plurality of parts. Another object of the invention is to provide such an improved assemblage that has only one thickness of web material under each of the film units supported by the unit-transporting web. A further object of the invention is to provide such an improved assemblage at a minimum cost of manufacture in order to provide the benefits obtainable from such an assemblage at a minimum cost to the ultimate user.

To meet these and other objects, the present invention provides an improved assemblage of integral self-processing film units interconnected by a foldable web for transporting the film units in cooperating photographic apparatus, the web being adapted, by a series of longitudinally extending flaps cut from the web, to lie flat and support the film units in closely spaced succession on a common plane when the web is unfolded, and to support the film units in superposed relationship when the web is folded in a zigzag configuration for use in the cooperating photographic apparatus.

The invention, and its objects and advantages, will become more apparent in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an assemblage according to the present invention, showing the unit-transporting web unfolded and supporting the film units in closely spaced succession on a common plane;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the unit-transporting web in the assemblage of FIG. 1, showing part of the main portion and one of the flap portions of the web;

FIG. 3 is an exploded partial perspective view of one of the film units in the assemblage of FIG. 1 overlying part of the unit-transporting web;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the unit-transporting web in the assemblage of FIG. 1, showing the web main portion folded in a zigzag configuration and the web flap portions projecting therefrom to support the film units in superposed relationship;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view similar to FIG. 4 but showing a film unit supported by one of the projecting flap portions;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a part of the assemblage of FIG. 1, showing one of the film units therein with a portion of the web attached to and folded around the unit as in a stack of such units;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the assemblage of FIG. 1 with its film units stacked in superposed relationship;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cartridge adapted to receive and cooperate with the assemblage of FIG. 1, showing a portion of the cartridge broken away to illustrate the enclosed web winding and storing device; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view, partially broken away for clarity of illustration, of a camera having therein the cartridge of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Because certain aspects of photographic film assemblages and cooperating apparatus are well known, the following description is directed in particular to those elements forming or cooperating directly with, the present invention, elements that are not specifically shown or described herein being understood to be selectable from those known in the art.

FIGS. 1-9 of the drawings illustrate the preferred embodiment of an assemblage according to the present invention and cooperating apparatus adapted for use therewith. In FIG. I is shown part of a film assemblage 1 which comprises a plurality of self-processing film units, 3, 5, 7 and a unit-transporting web 9 including a main portion 1 l and a plurality of

flap portions

13, 15, 17 integrally joined with the main portion.

Film units

3, 5, 7 are of the type described in the aforementioned copending US. Pat. Application Ser. No. 033,677. Film unit 5 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3 as exemplary of other such units in the assemblage.

Each unit includes a composite structure having a first layer of photosensitive material for establishing a developable latent image of a subject to which the photosensitive material is adapted to be exposed, a second layer of image-recording material, or mordent, for recording a visible image in response to development of the latent image, means for permanently maintaining the first and second layers in superposed relationship, and means for supplying to the layers a processing fluid adapted to effect development of the latent image and recording of the visible image. Preferably, both the first, or photosensitive layer and the second, or image-recording layer are supported in a single first sheet 14, a second sheet 16 being preregistered with first sheet 14 to control the spreading of the processing fluid over the two layers. First sheet 14 and second sheet 16 preferably remain registered as a unitized pair of sheets both before exposure and after processing. The film unit further comprises a pair of

parallel spacing members

21, 23 disposed along the longitudinal edges of, and between,

sheets

14 and 16 to define a predetermined distance between

sheets

14 and 16, at least during processing, and to confine the processing fluid to a layer of predetermined thickness between said edges.

The supplying means of the film unit includes a rupturable pod 25 containing the processing fluid and means for directing the fluid from the pod, when ruptured, between

sheets

14 and 16 for distribution over the aforementioned first and second layers. Rupturable pod 25 is defined generally by one or more sheets of fluid-impervious material securely sealed around three edges to define a fluid container and including a rupturable seal along the forth edge for discharging the fluid from the pod. The means for directing the fluid from the pod to the first and second layers comprises a funnel 27 made up of a pair of superposed, fluid-impervious sheets 29, 31 interposed between pod 25 and

sheets

14, 16 in the manner shown in FIG. 3. It will be noted that pod 25 and funnel 27 are disposed at one end of

sheets

14, 16. At the opposite end is a trap 33 for receiving and retaining any excess portion of processing fluid after the fluid has been distributed between

sheets

14 and 16. Trap 33 comprises a skirt 35 which overlies sheet 16 and a pair of

spacers

37, 39 which confine the excess processing solution between the ends of skirt 35. Pod 25 and trap 33 are securely attached, or inseparably coupled, to web 9, while the preregistered pair of

sheets

14, 16 is strippably attached, or separably coupled, to the web in a manner permitting separation of the pair of sheets from the web by pulling the web in a direction divergent from the direction of travel of the sheets. To make

sheets

14, 16 readily separable from funnel 27 and trap 33, the edges of sheets 29, 31 of funnel 27 are inserted between, but not secured to,

sheets

14 and 16, and skirt 35 of trap 33 overlies, but is not secured to, sheet 16. Thus, as web 9 is pulled away from

sheets

14, 16, funnel 27 simply slides out from between

sheets

14 and 16, and skirt 35 simply slides off sheets 16.

Referring back to FIG. 1 and again taking film unit 5 as exemplary of all the film units in assemblage 1, film unit 5 has a first or leading end 41 and a second or trailing end 43 defining the overall length L of the unit. Main portion 11 of web 9 comprises a strip of web material having a length greater than the sum of the overall lengths of the film-units, and having integrally joined with it the plurality of

flap portions

13, 15, 17. The flap portions are so spaced along the length of the main portion that the film units can be mounted thereon with only a relatively small space S remaining between succeeding units;

In FIG. 2 is shown the part of main portion 11 having flap portion 15 projecting therefrom. Taking flap portion 15 as exemplary of all the flap portions of web 9, flap portion 15 may be regarded as having a first or leading or fixed end 28, indicated by the imaginary line bearing that numeral designation, and a second or .trailing or free end 47 defining the length of the flap portion, which, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is equal to kl... Flap portion 15 has a width defined by a first longitudinal edge 46 and a second longitudinal edge 48. Flap portion 15 is cut or stamped from the strip of web material, as in FIG. 2, leaving an opening 45 in its place with remaining main portion 11 surrounding the opening. Opening 45 has a length, substantially equal to VzL, a first end coinciding with first end 28 of flap portion 15 and a second end substantially coinciding with second end 47 of flap portion 15 when flap portion 15 is lying flat within opening 45. Similarly, opening 45 has a width defined by a first side 18 and a second side 22 substantially coinciding, respectively, with first longitudinal edge 46 and second longitudinal edge 48 of flap portion 15 when flap portion 15 is lying flat within opening 45. it will be noted that main portion 11 has a width W defined by a first longitudinal edge 24 and a second longitudinal edge 26. First longitudinal edge24 and first side 18 define a marginal portion 36 of main portion 11, while second longitudinal edge 26 and second side 22 define a marginal portion 38 of main portion 11. In the preferred embodiment, edges 24 and 26 and

sides

18 and 22 are parallel with one another,

marginal portions

36 and 38 have equal areas, and flap portion 15 is rectangular in shape, although other relationships and configurations may be had within the scope of the present invention. Because flap portion 15 is simply cut or stamped from the strip of web material, leaving opening 45 in its place, the flap portion and opening are coextensive and in a mating relationship, thereby providing a common plane for supporting film unit 5 when flap portion 15 is received by, and lying flat within, opening 45. As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, the right end of web 9 is regarded as its leading end, while the left end of web 9 is regarded as its trailing end. Thus it will be noted that each of the flap portions projects from the main portion toward the trailing end of the web. In FIG. 2 is shown a transversely extending imaginary line 30 spaced a longitudinal distance of 'rL from imaginary line 28 in the direction of the leading end of the web.

Imaginary lines

28 and 30 and

longitudinal edges

24 and 26 define an area 34 adjacent to flap portion 15 over which the leading half of film unit 5 lies when the film unit is attached to the web in the manner described below.

Film unit 5 is disposed in such superposed relationship to flap portion 15 that trailing end 43 of film unit 5 is substantially coincident with trailing end 47 of flap portion 15, while leading end 41 of film unit 5 is spaced a distance of substantially %L from leading end 28 of flap portion 15 and is therefore substantially coincident with imaginary line 31). Pod of film unit 5 is securely attached, or inseparably coupled, to funnel 27 and to main portion 11, while trap 33 of film unit 5 is securely attached, or inseparably coupled, to flap portion 15 The preregistered pair of

sheets

14, 16 of film unit 5 is strippably attached, or separably coupled, to either main portion 11 or flap portion 15, or to both, in a manner permitting separation of the sheets from the web by pulling the web in a direction divergent from the direction of travel of the sheets. In FIG. 3, web 9 is shown with areas a, b, c, and d thereon having adhesives suitable for attaching film unit 5 to the web. in area a of main portion 11 is an adhesive for securely attaching,

or inseparably coupling, pod 25 to main portion 1 1. Similarly, in area d of flap portion 15 is an adhesive for securely attaching, or inseparably coupling, trap 33 to flap portion '15. In either area b of main portion 1 1 or area c of flap portion 15, or in both areas b and c, is an adhesive for strippably attaching, or separably coupling, sheet 14 to the web. Because the

preregistered sheets

14 and 16 are permanently maintained in their superposed relationship by means holding the marginal portions of the two sheets together, only the lowermost sheet 14 need be strippably attached, or separably coupled, to the web. As explained above, the preregistered pair of

sheets

14, 16 is rendered readily separable from funnel 27 and trap 33 by having the edges of funnel 27 inserted between, but not secured to, the pair of sheets, and by having the skirt of trap 33 overlying, but not secured to, sheet 16. Thus, as the web is pulled away from the pair of sheets, the funnel simply slides out from between the two sheets, and the skirt of the trap simply slides off sheet 16.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description that pod 25 of film unit 5 is securely attached, or inseparably coupled, to main portion 11 at a location between the leading and trailing ends of the main portion that is substantially coincident with leading end 41 of film unit 5 and spaced a distance of substantially 1&1. from leading end 28 of flap portion 15. Leading end 28 of flap portion 15 is joined with main portion 11 at another location between the leading and trailing ends of the main portion that is spaced substantially midway between leading end 41 and trailing end 43 of film unit 5. Thus,

film units

3, 5, 7 are disposed in such superposed relationship to their

respective flap portions

13, 15, 17 that substantially half of each film unit overlies the flap portion to which it is attached while the other half of that film unit overlies an adjacent area of the main portion.

In FIG. 4 is shown part of web 9 with its main portion 11 folded in a zigzag configuration, leaving three flap portions projecting from the main portion to support three film units in superposed relationship. Flap portion 15 is shown as the up-' permost of the three portions, area 34 of main portion 11 appearing immediately to theright of flap portion 15. Because

marginal portions

36 and 38 are now folded back beneath area 34, opening 45 likewise lies beneath area 34 as indicated by the

edges

18, 20, and 22 shown in hidden lines. FIG.-5 is similar to FIG. 4 but shows flap portion 15 broken away and film unit 7 supported on flap portion 17. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of web 9 attached to and folded around film unit 5, main portion 11 being folded, as in FIGS. 4 and 5, with flap portion 15 projecting therefrom to support the film unit.

While, for purposes of illustration, FIG. 1 shows only a three-unit portion of an assemblage according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the preferred embodiment in its entirety comprises a greater number of film units such as the six units shown stacked in superposed relationship in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7,

film units

3, 5, and 7 are shown as the three uppermost units in the stack. The preregistered pairs of sheets in

film units

3, 5, and 7 are designated by the

numerals

4, 6, and 8, respectively. When the film units are stacked as shown in FIG. 7, the main portion of the web is folded upwardly around the leading end of each film unit and extends rearwardly over that unit to a point midway between the leading and trailing ends of that unit, at which point one of the flap portions projects rearwardly from the main portion to the trailing end of the preceding film unit immediately above, while the main portion is folded again and brought back upon itself to be folded upwardly around the leading end of the preceding unit immediately above, and so on up the stack. As indicated in FIG. 7, the forwardmost or leading portion 49 of web 9 includes an adhesive element 51 for connecting the web to a web winding and storing device in cooperating photographic apparatus to be described hereinafter. Also, although not shown, leading portion 49 is opaque to light actinic to the film units and extends across the uppermost film unit 3 to provide a dark cover for preventing premature exposure and for otherwise protecting the film units when contained in the cooperating apparatus. A trailing portion of web 9 also may be folded beneath the lowermost film unit in the stack to protect that unit against scratching or other damage by the cartridge itself or by some foreign material that accidentally may enter the cartridge.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cartridge 53 suitable for use with the improved film assemblage of the present invention. Cartridge 53 includes a disposable housing 55 that defines a supply chamber or compartment adapted to receive an assemblage of stacked film units and a rectangular opening 68 through which the units can be exposed. Cartridge 53 supports a web winding and storing device such as a spool 57 having a clutch 59 adapted to cooperate with a web advancing mechanism in the camera to effect movement of the unit-transporting web and its attached film units within the cartridge. Supporting housing 55 is a bottom wall member 61 having a pair of semicircular bearing surfaces (not shown) for rotatably supporting spool 57 between such surfaces and a pair of complementing semicircular surfaces (not shown) in housing 55. In order to permit appropriate alignment between cartridge 53 and a camera receiving the cartridge, housing 55 includes an aligning and light-sealing surface 67 surrounding opening 68 and adapted to mate with a corresponding surface of the camera to locate properly the uppermost film unit 3 in a focal plane defined by the camera objective. Housing 55 is also provided with a rectangular opening 69 adapted to receive a pressureapplying member of the camera in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. Near'opening 69 in an end wall 71 of housing 55 is another rectangular opening or exit slot 73 through which the preregistered pair of sheets of each film unit is adapted to be expelled from the cartridge. As shown in FIG. 9, bottom wall member 61 of cartridge 53 further supports a platen 75 adapted to urge resiliently each of the film units in the assemblage toward its uppermost position for proper alignment in the focal plane. Supported within cartridge 53 is a pressure-bearing and web-guiding member 77, the upper surface of which is disposed for alignment with the aforementioned pressure-applying member of the camera when the cartridge is in its operative position in the camera. It should be noted at this juncture that exit slot 73 and member 77 are both located in one end portion of cartridge 53, and that spool 57 is located in the opposite end portion of the cartridge. Also provided in the cartridge is an interior wall member 79 adapted to define a passageway between platen 75 and bottom wall member 61, through which passageway the unit-transporting web is movable from member 77 to spool 57, as will be explained more fully below.

A camera 80 adapted to receive and cooperate with a cartridge such as cartridge 53 is shown in FIG. 9 with cartridge 53 received therein. Camera 80 comprises a housing 81 defining a cartridge receiving chamber 83 and supporting various camera components including a pressure-applying member 85, biased in a downward direction by its mounting spring 95, a web advancing member 87, a shutter operating member 89, and a closure or cover door 91. Cartridge 53 is inserted into camera 80 by opening cover door 91, placing the cartridge into receiving chamber 83, and then closing door 91. This effects seating of cartridge 53 against a light seal 93 in the camera and positioning of pressure-applying member 85 partially into the cartridge through opening 69 in alignment with pressure-bearing and web-guiding member 77. Because pressure-applying member 85 is biased downwardly by spring 95, member 85 bears directly against the portion of the film assemblage that lies between members 77 and 85. When cover door 91 is in its closed position as shown, a spring member 97 thereon urges cartridge 53 forwardly into its operative position as shown. In the right end wall 99 of housing 81 is an exit opening 101 in alignment with exit slot 73 of the cartridge,

thereby providing a substantially straight path of travel along which the preregistered pair of sheets of each film unit in the assemblage can pass from the bite of members 77 and 85 and out of the cartridge and camera. While the preregistered pair of sheets of each film unit thus travels along a substantially straight path after passing between pressure members 77 and 85, the unit-transporting web is directed downwardly along an arcuate path around member 77, and thus away from the straight path, to effect separation of the preregistered pair of sheets from the web.

In FIG. 9, the preregistered pair of sheets 4 of film unit 3 of assemblage 1 has already been expelled from the camera and is not shown. The preregistered pair of sheets 6 of film unit 5 is virtually expelled from the camera, its trailing end portion being shown passing through slot 73 and opening 101. Film unit 7 and the three film units below it remain stacked behind opening 68 of the cartridge. Unit-transporting web 9 is shown partially wound on spool 57. Pod 25 and funnel 27 of film unit 5 are shown still attached to main portion 11 inthe passageway defined by wall members 61 and 79. Trap 33 of film unit 5 is shown still attached to flap portion 15 on member 77 immediately to the right of pressure-applying member 85.

Web 9 is moved and wound around spool 57 as the spool is rotated in response to the camera operators manipulation of web advancing member 87. This, of course, normally occurs only after the film unit has been exposed in response to the operators manipulation of shutter operating member 89. Movement of the unit-transporting web causes a film unit to be pulled into the bite of pressure members 77 and 85, thereby rupturing the pod of that unit to initiate spreading of the processing fluid between the preregistered sheets of that unit. Continued manipulation of member 87 effects further winding of web 9 on spool 57, further movement of the web and unit between the pressure members to complete the spreading of the processing fluid, separation of the preregistered sheets from the web, and passage of the preregistered sheets along the aforementioned straight path through slot 73 and opening 101, leaving the pod, funnel, trap, and any other processing waste material still on the web to be received by spool 57 and stored there. After the preregistered pairs of sheets of all the film units in the assemblage have been expelled from the camera, the cartridge, including spool 57 with the used web, pods, funnels, traps, and any other processing waste material stored thereon, can be removed from the camera and disposed of. Each preregistered pair of sheets can safely be exposed to ambient illumination and handled by the camera operator as soon as it is expelled from the camera, even though development of the latent image and recording of the visible image may not have been completed, because the opacifying agent in the processing fluid between the preregistered sheets protects the photosensitive layer from exposure to such illumination and because the processing is self-timed to produce a rightreading, positive print without further attention on the part of the operator.

As shown in FIG. 9, film unit 7 follows closely behind film unit 5, the longitudinal space between the two units being only the small amount S, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, needed to permit folding of the web main portion around the leading end of each film unit. With only the small space S between succeeding film units and only one thickness of web material supporting the film units, relatively little web winding is built up on spool 57 during the necessary movement of the film units through the bite of the pressure members, so that the time required for such movement, the diameter of the web winding built up on the spool, the space needed in the cartridge for the web winding, and hence the size of both the cartridge and the camera, can all be reduced to a minimum.

It will be seen that the aforementioned objects of the present invention are thus achieved by the provision of an improved assemblage of integral self-processing film units interconnected by a web for transporting the units in cooperating photographic apparatus. Because the web of the improved assemblage of the present invention is not fabricated from a plurality of parts, but is readily made by simply cutting or stamping a series of flap portions from a strip of web material, such a web is less complex, requires less web material, and is therefore less costly to make than other webs known in the art. Also there is less likelihood that such a web will fail in use, so that the improved assemblage of the present invention is more reliable than others known in the art. Moreover, the single thickness of web material supporting each film unit in the improved assemblage of the present invention facilitates passage of the web and attached film units between the pressure members of the cooperating photographic apparatus and reduces the buildup of the web winding on the web storage device of the apparatus, thereby facilitating operation of the apparatus and permitting a smaller size of apparatus than would otherwise be possible.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A film unit assemblage for use in cooperating photographic apparatus, said assemblage comprising:

a. a plurality of film units, each unit having first and second ends defining a first overall length consisting of first and second segments, each unit including a layer of photosensitive material for establishing a developable latent image of a subject to which said photosensitive material is adapted to be exposed, a layer of image-recording material for recording a visible image in response to development of the latent image, means for permanently maintaining said layers in superposed relationship, and means for supplying to said layers a processing fluid adapted to effect development of the latent image and recording of the visible image, said supplying means being separably coupled to said layers;

b. a foldable web for transporting said film units in the cooperating photographic apparatus, said web being adapted when lying flat to support said film units in closely spaced succession on a common plane, said web being adapted when folded in a zigzag configuration to support said film units in a superposed relationship to one another, said web including a main portion having a second overall length greater than the sum of the first overall lengths of said film units and a plurality of integral flap portions corresponding in number to said plurality of film units, said flap portions being hingedly coupled to said main portion at respective first locations spaced uniformly along said second overall length by a distance substantially equal to but greater than said first overall length, each of said flap portions having a free end and a fixed end defining a third overall length substantially equal to one-half said first overall length, said free end being movable relative to said main portion, said fixed end being fixed to said main portion at one of said first locations to hingedly couple that flap portion to said main portion, each of said flap portions having first and second longitudinal edges defining a first overall width, said main portion having first and second longitudinal edges defining a second overall width greater than said first overall width, said main portion further having a plurality of openings corresponding in number to said plurality of flap portions and spaced uniformly along said second overall length, each of said openings being adapted to receive therein a respective one of said flap portions to define said common plane when said web is lying flat;

c. means for maintaining each film unit in superposed relationship to said web, said first and second segments of said first overall length overlying, respectively, an area of said main portion and a respective one of said flap portions; and

d. means for inseparably coupling said supplying means of each film unit to said main portion of said web at a respective one of a plurality of second locations spaced uniformly along said second overall length by said distance substantially equal to but greater than said first overall length.

2. The assemblage claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second segments of said first overall length are substantially equal.

3. The assemblage claimed in claim 1 wherein said supplying means includes a rupturable pod containing said processing fluid and means for directing said fluid from said pod, when ruptured, to said layers for distribution thereover, said pod being inseparably coupled to said directing means and to said main portion of said web, said directing means being separably coupled to said layers.

4. The assemblage claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said film units further includes a trap for receiving and retaining any excess portion of said fluid after said distribution over said layers, said trap being separably coupled to said layers and inseparably coupled to said respective one of said flap portions of said web.

5. The assemblage claimed in claim 4 wherein said pod defines said first end, said trap defines said second end, said layers are disposed between said pod and said trap, and said directing means is disposed between said pod and said layers.

6. The assemblage claimed in claim 5 wherein said trap is inseparably coupled to said respective one of said flap portions at said free end thereof, wherein said pod is inseparably coupled to said main portion at said respective one of said second locations, said one second location being spaced from the first location at which said one flap portion is hingedly coupled to said main portion by a distance substantially equal to said third overall length.

7. The assemblage claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said film units has first and second sides, said first side being adapted for exposure to the subject, said second side being superposed upon said web.

8. The film assemblage claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said openings in said main portion of said web is defined by a pair of longitudinal edges, each having a length substantially equal to said third overall length, and a transverse edge having a length substantially equal to said first overall width, said pair of longitudinal edges and said transverse edge coinciding substantially with said first and second longitudinal edges and said free end, respectively, of the one of said flap portions received in that opening, said opening and said flap portion being substantially coextensive and in a mating relationship to define said common plane when said web is lying flat.

9. The film assemblage claimed in claim 8'wherein one of said pair of longitudinal edges defining each opening and said first longitudinal edge of said main portion define a first mar ginal portion of said main portion, and wherein the other of said pair of longitudinal edges defining each opening and said second longitudinal edge of said main portion define a second marginal portion of said main portion, said first and second marginal portions providing continuity in said main portion along the length of each opening.

10. The film assemblage claimed in claim 9 wherein said first and second marginal portions along the length of each opening have equal areas.

11. The film assemblage claimed in claim 9 wherein said pair of longitudinal edges defining each opening and said first and second longitudinal edges of said main portion are substantially parallel, and wherein each flap portion is substantially rectangular.

12. The assemblage claimed in claim 1 wherein said web is folded in said zigzag configuration so that said film units are supported in said superposed relationship.

13. The assemblage claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining each film unit in superposed relationship to said web includes means for separably coupling one of said layers of said film unit to said area of said main portion.

14. The assemblage claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining each film unit in superposed relationship to said web includes means for separably coupling one of said layers of said film unit to said respective one of said flap portions.

15. A web for transporting a plurality of self-processing film units in cooperating photographic apparatus, each film unit having first and second ends defining a unit length, said web being adapted when lying flat to support the film units in closely spaced succession on a common plane, said web being adapted when folded in a zigzag configuration to support the film units in a superposed relationship to one another, said web comprising:

a. a main portion having an overall length greater than the sum of the unit lengths of the plurality of film units, said main portion having first and second longitudinal edges defining an overall width, said main portion further having a plurality of openings corresponding in number to the plurality of film units and spaced uniformly along said overall length by a distance substantially equal to but greater than one-half the unit length, each of said openings having first and second ends defining an'opening length substantially equal to one-half the unit length and first and second sides defining an opening width less than said overall width; and

b. a plurality of flap portions corresponding in number to i said plurality of openings and spaced uniformly along said overall length by said distance substantially equal to but greater than one-half the unit length, each of said flap portions having first and second ends defining a flap portion length substantially equal to said opening length and first and second longitudinal edges defining a flap portion width substantially equal to said opening width, each of said flap portion first ends being integrally joined with said main portion at a respective one of said opening first ends, each of said flap portion second ends being movable relative to said main portion, each of said flap portions being substantially coextensive with and receivable by a respective one of said openings in a mating relationship to define said common plane when said web is lying flat.

16. The web claimed in claim 15 wherein said first longitudinal edge of said main portion and said first side of each opening define a first marginal portion of said main portion, and wherein said second longitudinal edge of said main portion and said second side of each opening define a second marginal portion of said main portion, said first and second marginal portions providing continuity in said main portion along each opening length.

17. The web claimed in claim 16 wherein said first and second marginal portions along each opening length have equal areas.

18. The web claimed in claim 16 wherein said first and second longitudinal edges of said main portion and said first and second sides of each opening are substantially parallel, and wherein each flap portion is substantially rectangular.

.19. The web claimed in claim 15 in combination with the plurality of film units, each of said film units being supported at its first end by said main portion and at its second end by a respective one of said flap portions.

20. The combination claimed in claim 19 wherein said main portion is folded in said zigzag configuration to support said film units in said superposed relationship for use in the cooperating photographic apparatus.

21. The web claimed in claim 15 in combination with the plurality of film units and means forattaching said film units to said web, each film unit overlying a respective flap portion and an adjacent area of said main portion, said area having an end spaced longitudinally from said first end of said flap portion by a distance substantially equal to said flap portion length, said first end of said film unit coinciding substantially with said end of said area, said second end of said film unit coinciding substantially with said second end of said flap portion.

22. The combination claimed in claim 21 wherein said main portion is folded in said zigzag configuration to support said film units in said superposed relationship for use in the cooperating photographic apparatus.

23. A method of making an assemblage of a plurality of selfprocessing film units interconnected by a web for transportin the film units in cooperating photographic apparatus, sai

method comprising:

a. forming said web from a relatively thin, flexible web material, said web having leading and trailing ends defining a length greater than the sum of the lengths of said plurality of film units; I

b. cutting a series of flaps in said web corresponding in number to said plurality of film units and spaced uniformly along the length of said web, each flap projecting longitudinally toward said trailing end; and

c. attaching said plurality of film units to said web so that each film unit overlies a respective flap and an adjacent area of said web extending longitudinally toward said leading end.

24. The method claimed in claim 23 further comprising:

d. folding said web in a zigzag configuration so that said film units are supported in a superposed relationship to one another for use in the cooperating photographic apparatus.

Claims

1. A film unit assemblage for use in cooperating photographic apparatus, saId assemblage comprising: a. a plurality of film units, each unit having first and second ends defining a first overall length consisting of first and second segments, each unit including a layer of photosensitive material for establishing a developable latent image of a subject to which said photosensitive material is adapted to be exposed, a layer of image-recording material for recording a visible image in response to development of the latent image, means for permanently maintaining said layers in superposed relationship, and means for supplying to said layers a processing fluid adapted to effect development of the latent image and recording of the visible image, said supplying means being separably coupled to said layers; b. a foldable web for transporting said film units in the cooperating photographic apparatus, said web being adapted when lying flat to support said film units in closely spaced succession on a common plane, said web being adapted when folded in a zigzag configuration to support said film units in a superposed relationship to one another, said web including a main portion having a second overall length greater than the sum of the first overall lengths of said film units and a plurality of integral flap portions corresponding in number to said plurality of film units, said flap portions being hingedly coupled to said main portion at respective first locations spaced uniformly along said second overall length by a distance substantially equal to but greater than said first overall length, each of said flap portions having a free end and a fixed end defining a third overall length substantially equal to one-half said first overall length, said free end being movable relative to said main portion, said fixed end being fixed to said main portion at one of said first locations to hingedly couple that flap portion to said main portion, each of said flap portions having first and second longitudinal edges defining a first overall width, said main portion having first and second longitudinal edges defining a second overall width greater than said first overall width, said main portion further having a plurality of openings corresponding in number to said plurality of flap portions and spaced uniformly along said second overall length, each of said openings being adapted to receive therein a respective one of said flap portions to define said common plane when said web is lying flat; c. means for maintaining each film unit in superposed relationship to said web, said first and second segments of said first overall length overlying, respectively, an area of said main portion and a respective one of said flap portions; and d. means for inseparably coupling said supplying means of each film unit to said main portion of said web at a respective one of a plurality of second locations spaced uniformly along said second overall length by said distance substantially equal to but greater than said first overall length.

9. The film assemblage claimed in claim 8 wherein one of said pair of longitudinal edges defining each opening and said first longitudinal edge of said main portion define a first marginal portion of said main portion, and wherein the other of said pair of longitudinal edges defining each opening and said second longitudinal edge of said main portion define a second marginal portion of said main portion, said first and second marginal portions providing continuity in said main portion along the length of each opening.

15. A web for transporting a plurality of self-processing film units in cooperating photographic apparatus, each film unit having first and second ends defining a unit length, said web being adapted when lying flat to support the film units in closely spaced succession on a common plane, said web being adapted when folded in a zigzag configuration to support the film units in a superposed relationship to one another, said web comprising: a. a main portion having an overall length greater than the sum of the unit lengths of the plurality of film units, said main portion having first and second longitudinal edges defining an overall width, said main portion further having a plurality of openings corresponding in number to the plurality of film units and spaced uniformly along said overall length by a distance substantially equal to but greater than one-half the unit length, each of said openings having first and second ends defining an opening length substantially equal to one-half the unit length and first and second sides defining an openiNg width less than said overall width; and b. a plurality of flap portions corresponding in number to said plurality of openings and spaced uniformly along said overall length by said distance substantially equal to but greater than one-half the unit length, each of said flap portions having first and second ends defining a flap portion length substantially equal to said opening length and first and second longitudinal edges defining a flap portion width substantially equal to said opening width, each of said flap portion first ends being integrally joined with said main portion at a respective one of said opening first ends, each of said flap portion second ends being movable relative to said main portion, each of said flap portions being substantially coextensive with and receivable by a respective one of said openings in a mating relationship to define said common plane when said web is lying flat.

19. The web claimed in claim 15 in combination with the plurality of film units, each of said film units being supported at its first end by said main portion and at its second end by a respective one of said flap portions.

21. The web claimed in claim 15 in combination with the plurality of film units and means for attaching said film units to said web, each film unit overlying a respective flap portion and an adjacent area of said main portion, said area having an end spaced longitudinally from said first end of said flap portion by a distance substantially equal to said flap portion length, said first end of said film unit coinciding substantially with said end of said area, said second end of said film unit coinciding substantially with said second end of said flap portion.

23. A method of making an assemblage of a plurality of self-processing film units interconnected by a web for transporting the film units in cooperating photographic apparatus, said method comprising: a. forming said web from a relatively thin, flexible web material, said web having leading and trailing ends defining a length greater than the sum of the lengths of said plurality of film units; b. cutting a series of flaps in said web corresponding in number to said plurality of film units and spaced uniformly along the length of said web, each flap projecting longitudinally toward said trailing end; and c. attaching said plurality of film units to said web so that each film unit overlies a respective flap and an adjacent area of said web extending longitudinally toward said leading end.

24. The method claimed in claim 23 further comprising: d. folding said web in a zigzag configuration so that said film units are supported in a superposed relationship to one another for use in the cooperating photographic apparatus.