US3364834A - Photographic processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

' Jan. 23, 1968 H. E. ERIKSON PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 14, 1965 I INVENTOR Mam ATTORNEYS H. E. ERIKSON PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING APPARATUS Jan. 23, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1965 m T m. V m

ATTORNEYS H. E. ERIKSON PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING APPARATUS Jan. 23, 1968 .5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 14, 1965 w/ A///7m [1/ //77;

FIG.4

INVENTOR 4s 4a 44 j7 76 FIG. 5

ATTORNEY fitates atent Free 3,364,834 PHOTOGRAPHKC PRQ'CESSKNG APPARATUS Herman E. Erilrson, Winchester, Mass, assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 14, 1965, Ser. No. 463,771 11 Claims. (Cl. 95-89) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE The present application relates to a compact apparatus for processing a photographically exposed film unit which embodies a releasable processing liquid by applying progressive compression thereto while, at the same time, protecting photosensitive portions of the unit against damage through exposure to ambient light. The apparatus includes a compact housing, a pair of resiliently-surfaced pressure rolls and a pair of flexible, opaque, protective sheets each coiled on an individual spool, all mounted within the housing, the spools being biased by torsion springs to effect their coiling rotation, with leading edges of the sheets held in a V between the bite of the pressure rolls. The film unit is fed into and gripped by the V of the sheets, the pressure rolls are rotated either by manual operation or motor means, and the entire assembly of protective sheets and film unit positioned therebetween is advanced and compressed between the pressure rolls. The film unit is removed from the protective sheets after leaving the pressure rolls. A finished print is produced therein and removable therefrom. The protective sheets are then re-coiled on their respective spools in readiness for processing another film unit.

In a well-known method of photographic processing a pair of sheets are superposed with one another and a layer of a liquid-processing agent is spread therebetween to effect a chemical processing operation such as development of a latent image formed in a photosensitive layer on one of the sheets. Other processing operations may also be performed with the sheets in superposition, such as formation of a positive photographic print in the sheet opposite that Whereon the negative image is developed. The sheets are normally flexible in most commercial embodiments of photographic materials which utilize the above process, comprising a support layer of paper, plastic or the like, for the layer of photosensitive or other such photographic material. Many well-known photographic products and processes incorporating materials of this type are currently manufactured by Polaroid Corporation of Cambridge, Mass, and are suitable for employment with the processing apparatus of the present invention.

In processing photographic materials by superposing two sheets with a layer of processing fluid spread there between, it is necessary to protect the photosensitive layer from actinic light until the processing operation is substantially complete. This has been accomplished in a number of ways among which are the provision of opaque layers associated with the sheets themselves, opaque envelopes forming a portion of the photographic product and within which the sheets are contained during processing, and various lighttight compartments or imbibition chambers which may form a part of the processing apparatus. The present invention is concerned with processing apparatus having means for protecting the photographic materials from actinic light during processing, i.e., apparatus incorporating an imbibition chamber, and has as a principal object the provision of such apparatus in a highly compact form.

Another object of the invention is to provide processing apparatus including a pair of pressure-applying members between which a pair of sheets are advanced to spread a processing fluid therebetween and having an imbibition chamber which may be advanced with the sheets and later retracted to its initial position.

Still another object is to provide processing apparatus having a pair of pressure-applying members and lightshielding means for a film unit which is advanced through said pressure-applying members between two layers of said light-shielding means as a liquid-processing agent is spread between a pair of sheets of the film unit, wherein the structure of the pressure-applying members and the light-shielding means cooperate to spread said liquid in a uniformly thin layer between said sheets.

A further object is to provide a novel method of processing film units of the above-mentioned type which includes movement of light-shielding portions of the apparatus during advancement of the film unit.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts and the method involving the several steps and the relation and order of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of certain elements of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-5 are a series of somewhat diagrammatic elevational views of portions of the apparatus showing the stages of movement thereof in conjunction with a representative film unit of the type intended to be processed by the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a plan view in horizontal section on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic elevational view, as in FIGS. 3-5, showing an alternate arrangement of some of the elements.

Refering now to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates generally the casing or housing wherein the principal elements of the processing apparatus are contained. A pair of support members in the form of legs 12 and 14 are provided to maintain housing 10 in a desired vertical position when the support members are resting on a horizontal surface. Legs 12 and 14 may be of any suitable construction and are referably hinged to housing 10 so that they may be moved to a collapsed position against the underside of the housing. When erected, as in FIG- URE 1, legs 12 and 14 may be braced by suitable, conventional braces. For example, light traps 16 and 18, the principal function of which will be explained more fully hereinafter, may be used to serve as such braces. In order that the apparatus may be folded or collapsed as stated above, light traps 16 and 18 would also be hingedly connected, in a manner well known and therefore not illustrated in detail, to the housing or the legs. Housing 10 includes elongated openings in both the upper and lower sides thereof, as will appear later in more detail. Extending from opposite sides of housing 1d are crank 28 and selector knob 22, with release lever 24 extending through an opening in the top.

Referring now to FIG. 2, some of the elements mounted within housing are shown. A pair of pressure- .applying members are provided in the form of elongated rolls 28 and 30, having spindle means 32 and 34, respectively, upon which the rolls are rotatably mounted. While pressure-applying rolls are a preferred mechanism for processing purposes, other means capable of carrying out the functions of the rolls are usable with the present invention and are intended to fall within the scope thereof. Materials from which rolls 28 and may be constructed include steel, or other suitable metals, rubber, suitable organic plastics and composition materials. Both rolls may be of the same or of different materials, or one or both rolls may be formed of a plurality of separate materials. In this latter regard, a roll may comprise a metal core encased in a rubber sheath, such as those shown in FIG. 2 and indicated by the reference numerals 36 and 38, which comprise a preferred form for purposes of the present invention for reasons which appear hereinafter.

A pair of flexible, opaque sheets of material, indicated by the numerals and 42, pass between rolls 28 and 30 as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2. Sheets 40 and 42 :may comprise virtually any material which is opaque to light actinic to the photographic products which are processed. A preferred material comprises a rubberized fabric; that is, a flexible base sheet of textile material which has been treated, according to methods well known in such arts, with natural or synthetic rubber, whereby sheets 40 and 42 possess a certain degree of natural re- 'silience.

Clip 44, having elongated side portions 46 and 48, fastens the lower (and a portion of the side) edges of sheets 40 and 42 together in a lighttight manner. Clip 44 may be affixed in a substantially permanent manner, as :shown, or may be provided with appropriate release means to allow movement thereof away from the clamping position with consequent access between sheets 40 and 42 from the lower edges. In the illustrated embodiment, sheets 40 and 42 are adapted to be wound and unwound from rotatable spools and 52, respectively. Spool 50 is mounted for rotation an spindle means 54, extending from each end of the spool, and spindle means 56 serves as a like mounting for spool 52. Spring means (not shown) may be provided in a known manner to urge spools 50 and 52 toward rotation in the direction in which sheets 40 and 42 are wound up on the spools. For example, the spools may be hollow and the spring means provided internally thereof for tensioning as the sheets are unwound from the spools in the manner of conventional window shades, and the like.

Spindle means 34 are mounted in bearing means 58 and 60 which are movable toward and away from roll 28, which is mounted for rotation about a fixed axis with respect to housing 10. Shaft 62, having multiface cam elements 64 and 66 fixedly mounted on the ends thereof, is likewise mounted for rotation about a fixed axis. Control knob 22 is secured to one end of shaft 62, as by being keyed thereto, whereby the shaft may be turned selectively by manual rotation of knob 22. One of the faces of each of cam elements 64 and 66 are adapted to bear against the heads of pins 68 and 70, respectively. Springs 72 and 74 are arranged between pins 68 and 7t} and bearing means 58 and 6th to exert a resilient force on the bearing means which is transmitted thereby to spindle 34 and roll 36).

The fixed axes of shaft 52 and roll 28 are so located that the biasing force of springs 72 and 74 urges roll 30 to a position wherein sheets as and 42 are engaged between rubber sheaths 36 and 33 of rolls 28 and 30 unless separated by other means which may be introduced between the rolls either between or outside of sheets 40 and 412. For example, when a film unit is positioned between sheets 40 and 42 and advanced through the rolls therewith, the thickness of the film unit urges roll 30 away from roll 28 against the bias of springs 72 and 74.

Likewise, when sheets 40 and 42 are wound up on spools 5t) and 52, side portions 46 and 48 of clip 44 are forced between end portions of the rolls which again separates the latter against the spring bias. The amount of force with which roll 30 is urged toward roll 28 is, of course, dependent on the amount of compression of springs 72 and 74. This in turn is dependent on the position of cams 64 and 66 since each of the faces thereof are spaced differently from the fixed axis of shaft 62. It may thus be seen that the pressure applied by rolls 28 and 30 to a film unit, or the like, advanced therethrough may be controlled by selective positioning of control knob 22.

Turning now to a consideration of FIGS. 3-7, the operation of those portions of the apparatus thus far described is shown. It is to be understood that these figures are essentially diagrammatic and the relative proportions of the various elements as shown do not necessarily represent those which would be used in practice. A representative photographic product of the type intended for processing in the apparatus of the invention is shown in the form of a film unit, indicated generally by the numera1 76, having first and second sheets '78 and which are secured together near the leading edges thereof. Leader or tab element 82 is attached to one of the sheets to extend forwardly of the leading edge and rupturable container 84 is positioned between the sheets. One of the sheets comprises a conventional photographic film support having a silver halide emulsion coated on the surface which faces the opposite sheet of the film unit. The inwardly facing surface of the other sheet may include materials adapting it to receive a transfer image, thus constituting a print-receiving element. For purposes of carrying out a photographic transfer process, container 84 holds a solution of photographic developer and a silver halide fixer and preferably includes a thickening agent in said solution. Container 84 is formed of a substantially liquidand oxygen-impervious material and ha marginal portions of the walls thereof releasably sealed together, whereby pressure applied to opposite sides of the container will force the liquid to rupture the seal along the trailing edge and discharge the liquid content for spreading between sheets 78 and 89, which thus may be said to constitute liquid confining layers.

Film unit 76, as shown and described, thus comprises a basic embodiment of the well-known self developing type of photographic film assembly. Such assemblies are commonly positioned and held in any of a wide variety of conventional, general or special purpose film-holding means for exposure of the photosensitive element to visible light, X-rays, etc. The film-holding means may comprise, for example, camera backs, cut film or plate holders, and various film magazines or cassettes. A diagrammatic showing of such means is indicated in FIG. 3 by the reference numeral 85 and includes, in accordance with conventional construction, a discharge opening which allows withdrawal of the film unit from the holding means while protecting the photosensitive element from actinic light during storage therein.

It is to be understood that the particular structures of both the film assembly and the holding means therefor bear no special relationship to the present invention and are shown merely to provide a basis for explanation of the operation of the apparatus. For example, the film unit may comprise an individual element, as shown, or may be a part of a continuous web of such assemblies; the processing liquid may be dispensed from a container which is ruptured by the pressure-applying members, or may be deposited between sheets 78 and 80 by nozzle arrangements or other previously known means, whereby the pressure-applying members merely assist in spreading the liquid between the sheets. Holding means 86 may be incorporated with the exposure means and may, in fact, be further incorporated with the processing apparatus of the invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited by the structure of configuration of the film units processed thereby, except that a processing liquid is to be spread between two liquid confining layers, or by whether or not holding and/or exposure means or the like are incorporated with the processing apparatus of the invention.

Holding means 86 is initially positioned with respect to the processing apparatus in aperture 87 of housing so that tab 82 of film unit 76 extends from the discharge opening of the holding means toward the bite of the pressure rolls. Appropriate guide means 88 may be provided internally of housing 10 to define a guide channel 90 which assists in directing tab 82 in the desired direction. A fragment of the lower portion of housing 10 is shown to indicate the position of the opening or exit aperture 92 therein. It will be noted that sheets 40 and 42 are wound up on spools 50 and 52 to such an extend that end portions 46 and 48 of clip 44 are engaged between the rolls 28 and 30 adjacent each end thereof. greater than the combined thicknesses of rubber sheaths 36 and 38, whereby the rolls are forced apart, against the bias of springs 72 and 74. Thus, the rubber sheaths on the two rolls are not urged into mutual engagement, with sheets 40 and 42 engaged therebetween. If the rolls were not separated in the stationary condition shown in FIG. 3, the natural resilience of the rubber sheaths would result in flat spots being formed thereon along the line of mutual contact. This condition is undesirable in processing apparatus of the present type for reasons explained in detail in my copending application Serial No. 429,080, now Patent No. 3,318,221, filed January 26, 1965, which relates specifically to means designed to overcome this problem.

With the elements positioned as shown in FIG. 3, rotation is imparted to rolls 28 and 30. For purposes of the present invention the rotation may be imparted manually, as by a hand crank mechanism, to both rolls simultaneously or to one roll only, with the rotation thereof transferred to the other roll through frictional engagement. Alternatively, rotation may be imparted by a mechanical drive mechanism, such as a tensioned spring arrangement, or by other conventional drive means such as an electric motor. Upon rotation of rolls 28 and 30, sheets 46 and 42 will be advanced due to their frictional engagement between the rolls which, of course, are urged together to engage the sheets therebetween after end portions 46 and 48 of clip 44 have been advanced out of engagement between the rolls. Tab 82 is engaged between sheets 44) and 42 as the latter are advanced, thereby drawing film unit 76 through the aforementioned discharge opening of holding means 86. Also intended to fall within the scope of the invention is advancement of sheet 40 and 42 and film unit 76 between the pressure-applying members by means, manual or otherwise, which feed the sheets and the film unit through such members without the use of external means for imparting rotation to the pressure rolls as described above. For example, clip 44 or other means extending therefrom through opening 92 could be grasped by an operator of the apparatus and advanced manually to effect the advancement of sheets 40 and 42 and film unit 76 between the pressure rolls.

As shown in FIG. 4-, sheets 40 and 42 have been partially unwound from their respective spools and advanced through the rotating pressure rolls, advancing film unit 76 therewith. Container 84 will be ruptured by the fluid pressure created therewithin due to the compressive force of the pressure rolls. The processing liquid will thus be released between the liquid confining layers 78 and 8i! and will be distributed in a uniformly thin layer therebetween as film unit 76 continues to be advanced between the pressure rolls. When the elements have reached the position illustrated in FIG. 5, the processing liquid has been spread essentially to the end of the areas of sheets 78 and 80 which are to be processed. Advancement of sheets 40 and 42 and rotation of rolls 28 and 30 are then stopped in this position. The elements are allowed to remain in this position for a predetermined period corresponding substantially to the time required for the chemical processing operation to be complete. Film unit 76 is then withdrawn from between sheets 40 and 42 and the processed photographic negative and/ or positive image is removed therefrom according to conventional practice. Film unit 76 may be removed by counteradvancement of the film unit back through the pressure rolls, thus passing back through the position of FIG. 4 to that of FIG. 3 after removal of holding means 86- from its position on housing 10. For purposes of the present invention, film unit 76 may also be remove-d from between sheets 40 and 42 from the lower end thereof as by moving clip 44 to an open position with respect to the leading edges of sheets 40 and 42 and removing the film unit from between the sheets without passing back through the pres sure rolls.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the elements in the FIG. 5 position, i.e., at the end of the advancement of the sheets and film unit. It will be noted that the lateral edges of sheets 40 and 42 are positioned to ride within light traps 16 and 18. This is also shown in the top sectional view of FIG. 7. It may thus be seen that although no means are provided for positively sealing the lateral of sheets 40' and 42 together as they pas-s through the pressure rolls, no light will be permitted to enter between the sheets due to the protected path formed by light traps 16 and 18, the interior surfaces of which should be made of or coated with a nonrefiective material. Rather than providing mechanical light traps such as 16 and 18 it is also possible, of course, to provide means for positively sealing the lateral edges of sheets 40 and 42. For example, the opposing marginal portions of the sheets may be provided with a highly plasticized vinyl coating which will cause such portions to adhere to one another as they are engaged between pressure rolls 28 and 30, while also allowing the sheets to be separated without damage as they are counteradvanced and rewound on spools 50 and 52. It will be noted in FIG. 5 that a small amount of the liquid processing agent, indicated by the numeral 94 is left between the ends of sheets 78 and 80 at the end of the advancement thereof. This, in combination with the compressive force applied by rolls 28 and 30 maintains a light seal across the trailing end of film unit 76. As previously mentioned, clip 44 seals the leading edges of sheet 40 and 42 in a lighttight manner. It may thus be seen that film unit 76 is protected from actinic light during processing thereof.

In FIG. 8 is shown another embodiment of the apparatus wherein the flexible sheets or layers forming the imbibition chamber, while still movable out of and into the major housing of the apparatus, are not advanced through the pressure rolls. Since this embodiment involves basically a rearrangement of previously described elements, rather than a modification or replacement of such elements, like reference numerals are used to denote like elements shown in other figures. It will be noted that sheets 40 and 42 are unwound from spools 50 and 52 to pass through opening 92 of housing 10 without passing between pressure rolls 28 and 30. Idler or guide rolls 93 and 95 may be provided for defining the path followed by sheets 40 and 42 during movement thereof. Also, since the sheets are not engaged between the pressure rolls, additional means must be provided for advancing the sheets during advancement of the film assembly. Otherwise, the structure and operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8 is the same as that of the previously described embodiment. It is preferred, however, that sheets 40 and 42 be formed of the previously mentioned rubberized fabric and advanced through pressure rolls which are provided with resilient sheaths, as also described. It has been found that the combination of the resiliency of the sheets and that of the pressure rolls between which the film assembly is advanced provides a better spread of the liquid-processing agent between the sheets of the film unit.

It is also beneficial to use materials of a particular resiliency or hardness, depending on the particular process ing agent used, for the sheets and sheaths on the pressure rolls which may be the same or different for the two.

In the event that film unit '76 is removed from between sheets 40 and 42 after processing is complete without counteradvancement back through rolls 28 and 34 it is preferred that the film unit be advanced completely through the rolls in one operation. That is, rather than halting advancement of the film unit at the position of FIG. while imbibition takes place, it would be advanced slightly further so that it would no longer be engaged between the rolls. Means should then be provided for trapping excess processing liquid 94 between trailing end portions of sheets 78 and 80 so that it is not forced out of the film unit between sheets 40 and 42. This is conventionally done by providing spacer means associated with the trailing end of the film unit for spreading the pressure rolls apart somewhat when advanced therebetween, thus providing a wider gap between the trailing ends of the two sheets 78 and St? for retaining any excess liquid. Such means are not shown in the drawings of the present application, having been in widespread commercial use for many years.

The use of a conventional spring motor (not shown) is suggested as a convenient and satisfactory means for imparting rotation to the pressure rolls. Such a device capable of providing the necessary torque for operating processing apparatus of the type shown may easily be made according to a number of known constructions in a quite com-pact form. For example, an adequate spring motor of known construction may be housed within the portion of housing lit) indicated in FIGURE 1 by the reference numeral 96. The motor is also indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 2 in housing portion 98 wherein the output shaft thereof, numbered 97, may be seen to be operatively connected to spindle 32 of roll 28. The spring motor is tensioned when the elements are in the FIG. 3 position and is retained against roation of the output shaft by release lever 24, which may be biased into engagement with a portion of the motor to prevent movement thereof under the force of the tensioned spring or springs. Manual movement of release lever 24 to an unblocking position allows the motor to rotate roll 28, which in turn advances sheets 40 and 4-2 and film unit '76 and imparts rotation to roll 30. Appropriate rotational speed-governing means, such as a centrifugal-friction governor may be provided so that the rolls will rotate at a substantially cons 'iant speed throughout advancement of the film assembly. Conventional governor means of this type may easily be connected to spindle 32 at the end thereof opposite the connecion with output shaft 99 of spring motor 96. The reference numeral 93 in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates a diagrammatic representation of the governor means.

Hand crank 20 is adapted to be engaged with the spring moor for moving the latter toward its tensioned position in response to manual rotation of the crank. Thus, when the elements are in the position of FIG. 5, rotation of crank 20 in a given direction will rotate output shaft 97, and thereby spindle 32 and rolls 2%; and Sit, in the direc tion opposite to that in which it rotates under the power supplied by the spring motor when the latter is released from its tensioned position. Preferably, hand crank 26 may be disengaged from the spring motor by axial movement in a direction away from housing to so that the crank'is not turned by the motor as the latter moves toward the untensioned position. The operator may move crank 2d axially toward housing lid to the engaged posi tion and rotate the crank manually to re-tension the spring motor while at the same time moving sheets at} and 42 from the position of FIG. 5 back to that of FIG. 3. Of course, film assembly '76 is also counteradvanced back through rolls 28 and 3d 'by such movement, unless it is to be removed from between sheets 4% and 42 without counteradvancement back through the rolls as previously suggested. When the elements are returned to the position of FIG. 3 the spring motor is again held in the tensioned position by a portion of release lever 24, or means actuable thereby, and the apparatus is in readiness for another processing operation.

It should be noted that the present invention differs basically from previously known processing apparatus adapted primarily to effect processing of film units which include means within themselves for protecting the photosensitive materials from actinic light during imbibition. Such apparatus and film units include, for example, those described in Us. Patent No. 2,933,993 of Albert J. Bachelder et al. wherein the liquid-confining layers are contained in an opaque envelope, which forms a part of the film unit, before and during imbibition. Also, the film units such as, e.g., those identified as Type 107 and Type 108, manufactured and sold by Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, are provided with opaque layers associated directly with the liquid-confining sheets and thus require no external means for protecting the photosensitive material from actinic light during irnbibition. it is thus apparent that the processing apparatus of the present invention is designed to provide a lighttight imbibition chamber for a film unit wherein no means for performing this function are associated with the film unit itself. It is also of importance to note that a more compact processing apparatus may be achieved through the use of flexible sheets, stored on rolls within the housing which contains the pressure-applying members, than with arrangements such as that shown, for example, in the embodiment of FIG. 13 of US. Patent No. 2,709,223. The latter-mentioned type of apparatus provides a processing chamber which is moved along with the film unit, but which is more in the nature of a camera bellows, or the iike, whereby the collapsible chamber is arranged entirely outside the housing which contains the pressure rolls and cannot, for practical purposes, be arranged to pass through the rolls or be stored in roll form. Although in the illustrated embodiments of the present invention the irnbi-bition chamber includes flexible sheets of opaque material which may be stored on rolls to provide maximum economy of space, it is possible, of course, to construct the apparatus with corresponding sheets or layers of more rigid material which extend in a more or less flat plane on one side of the rolls before processing and which advance with respect to the rolls in the same manner as the illustrated sheets. it is necessary, of course, when the movable layers of the imbibition chamber are advanced through the pressure-applying members, that the compressive force of the pressure-applying members be transferred through the movable layers to the film unit, and a certain degree of flexibility is preferred to allow for slight irregularities in the thickness of the film unit, etc.

Since certain changes may be made in the above method and apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Photographic processing apparatus for effecting distribution of a liquid-processing agent between a pair of liquid-confining layers of a film unit and for protecting the latter fro-m actinic light subsequent to said distribution, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

(a) a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members adapted to apply a compressive force to said film unit as the latter is advanced therebetween;

(b) means for advancing said film unit between said pressure-applying members, thereby distributing said processing agent between said layers;

(c) enclosure means including a pair of flexible, opaque sheets and adapted to define a substantially lighttight chamber wherein said film unit is enclosed subsequent to said distribution; and

(d) means for effecting movement of said sheets rela- 5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said sheets comprise a rubberized fabric material.

6. Photographic processing apparatus for effecting distribution of a liquid-processing agent between a pair of liquid-confining layers of a photographic film unit and for protecting the latter fromactinic light during a predetermined processing period subsequent to said distribution, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

(a) substantially lighttight housing means;

(b) a pair of pressure-applying members positioned in juxtaposed relation within said housing means and adapted to apply a compressive force to said film unit as the latter is advanced therebetween;

(0) means for advancing said film unit from a first,

light-protected position, between said pressure-applying members, to a second position wherein at least a portion of said film unit extends outside of said housing means;

(d) enclosure means including a pair of flexible, opaque sheets and adapted to define a substantially lighttight chamber wherein at least that portion of said film unit which extends outside said housing means is enclosed when in said second position; and

(e) means for effecting movement of said sheets from an initial position in rolled-up fashion within said housing means to a terminal position wherein at least portions of said sheets are unrolled and extend outside said housing means, said movement being eifected as said film unit is advanced.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said pressure-applying members comprise a pair of rotatable, elongated, cylindrical pressure rolls.

8. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said enclosure means further include stationary light-shielding means positioned outside said housing means to prevent entry of light between the lateral edges of said opaque sheets when the latter are moved out of said housing means.

9. Photographic processing apparatus for eifecting distribution of a liquid-processing agent between a pair of liquid-confining layers of a photographic film unit and for protecting the latter from actinic light during a predetermined processing period coincidental with and subsequent to said distribution, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

(a) a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members adapted to apply a compressive force to said film unit as the latter is advanced between said members from a position on one side thereof to the other;

(b) a pair of opaque flexible sheets coiled on individual spools spring-biased for coiling rotation arranged to pass in superposition between said pressure-applying members and having leading edges movable against the rotational bias of said spools from a position adjacent said pressure-applying members on said other side thereof in a first direction, away from said members;

(c) said pair of sheets being constructed and arranged to receive therebetween the portion of said film unit which is advanced through said pressure-applying members to said other side thereof;

(d) means for advancing said leading edges in said first direction concurrently with advancement of said film unit to said other side of said members, whereby said film unit remains between said sheets after advancement between said members; and

(e) a compact housing having an exit aperture, said housing enclosing said pressure-applying members, said spools, and said opaque flexible sheets when coiled on said spools, said sheets carrying said film unit being adapted to pass through said aperture to a location exteriorly of said housing when unwound from said spools.

W. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said pressure-applying members comprise a pair of rotatable, cylindrical pressure rolls.

11. Photographic processing apparatus for effecting distribution of a liquid-processing agent between a pair of liquid-confining layers of a photographic film unit and for protecting the latter from actinic light during a predetermined processing period subsequent to said distribution, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

(a) a pair of juxtaposed rotatable pressure rolls adapted to apply a compressive force to said film unit as the latter is advanced between said members from a position on one side thereof to the other;

(b) a pair of opaque flexible sheets coiled on individual spools spring-biased for coiling operation arranged to pass in superposition between said pressure rolls and having leading edges movable against the rotational bias of said spools from a position adjacent said pressure rolls on said other side thereof in a first direction, away from said members;

(0) said pair of sheets being constructed and arranged to receive therebetween the portion of said film unit which is advanced through said pressure rolls to said other side thereof;

(d) means for advancing said leading edges in said first direction concurrently with advancement of said film unit to said other side of said members, whereby said film unit remains between said sheets after advancement between said members;

(e) means for moving said leading edges in a second direction toward said pressure rolls while returning to a coiled condition those portions of said sheets which are moved back to said one side of said pressure rolls; and

(f) a compact housing having an exit aperture, said housing enclosing said pressure rolls, said spools, said opaque flexible sheets when coiled on said spools, and said means for moving said leading edges in a second direction, said sheets carrying said film unit being adapted to pass through said aperture to a location exteriorly of said housing when uncoiled from said spools.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1955 Land 89 5/ 1955 Bachelder et al 95'89 4/1960 Bachelder et al 95-13 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,364,834 January 23, 1968 Herman E. Erikson It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2; line 48, for "Refering" read Referring "column '3,"1ine 41, for "an" read on line '66, for "52" 'i'ead 62'-'-; column 5, line 17, for "extend"'read extent ;line 19', before "greater" insert The thickness of end portions 46 and 48 is somewhat column 6, line 24, after"'lateral" insert edges Signed and sealed this 6th day of May 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer 1 ommissioner of Patents

Images