Abstract: There is disclosed a method of and apparatus for developing an elongated strip of photographic film of the self-developing type. The apparatus comprises an imbibing assembly including a wheel assembly of large diameter mounted for rotation on a given axis. Means on the wheel assembly support the strip of film on the perimeter of the wheel assembly and include means providing access of a leading portion of the film to the interior portion defined by the wheel assembly. Drive means rotate both the wheel assembly and a take-up reel located interiorly of the assembly and to which the leading portion of the film is attached. The drive means advances the film around the perimeter of the wheel assembly and into the interior portion, whereby successive sections of the film with its processing fluid layer are advanced over at least a portion of the perimeter of the wheel assembly for imbibition and then advanced into the interior portion of the wheel for take-up.

Abstract: A self-processing film unit, including a sheet-like photosensitive film component, is provided with a liquid applicator holding a supply of a low viscosity procesing liquid that is to be applied to a given area of an outer surface of the film component, following its exposure, to initiate processing. The applicator includes a folded and releasably sealed enclosure section having therein liquid holding means, such as an absorbent pad soaked with the liquid, a leader tab forming section between one end of the film component and the enclosure section, and a mechanical ground section. In response to applying a longitudinally directed compression force on the film unit, the leader tab forming section folds to form a protruding leader tab.

Abstract: A hand-held camera, preferable of the self-developing type, for sequentially positioning different areas of a film unit in position for exposure. The camera includes a chamber for locating a film cassette containing at least one film unit in position for exposure of a predetermined area of the film unit. Mounted adjacent to one side of the chamber is a film cassette positioning apparatus which cooperates with the camera's shutter actuating apparatus to automatically move the film cassette after the predetermined area of the film unit has been completely exposed so as to locate another predetermined area of the film unit in position for exposure.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus for use with film units of the self-developing type. The apparatus includes an elongate member having five extensions which perform a plurality of functions as the elongate member is manually moved between first and second positions. During the movement of the elongate member from the first to the second position, two of the extensions cooperate with a latch to prevent premature movement of the elongate member back into the first position while a third extension engages an exposed film unit and advances it into the bite of a pair of pressure applying rollers. During the movement of the film unit, a fourth extension closes an electrical switch thereby enabling the camera's motor to drive one of the rollers while the fifth extension indexes a film counter.

Abstract: A hand-held camera adapted for use with a film cassette containing at least one film unit and a separate overlying opaque cover sheet which is adapted to protect the film unit from exposure during the loading of the cassette into the camera. The camera includes a film cassette positioning member drivingly engageable with a film advancing apparatus and with a pair of juxtaposed rollers, and a manually operable member connected with the film cassette positioning member. Upon actuation of the manually operable member, the film cassette positioning member is moved to thereby reposition the film cassette within the camera while simultaneously driving the film advancing apparatus in a manner which moves the opaque cover sheet partially out of the film cassette and into the bite of the rollers, which in turn continue its movement away from the film cassette thereby preparing the film unit for exposure.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus including an elongate member mounted for reciprocating movement between first and second positions for advancing an exposed film unit of the self-developing type between a pair of pressure-applying rollers. Initially, there is a loose fit between the elongate member and its mounting. As the elongate member is moved out of the first position it is canted thereby substantially increasing the sliding frictional forces between it and its mounting thus accurately locating a film unit engaging member in alignment with a trailing edge of an exposed film unit prior to moving it into engagement with the rollers. When the elongate member reaches the second position, the sliding frictional forces are substantially reduced thereby enabling a relatively weak spring to return the elongate member to the first position. Structure is provided for preventing movement of the elongate member back to the first position until it has reached the second position.

Abstract: A projector for a film transparency having a first housing for enclosing an image transmitting system and a second housing having an open end through which the illumination from a projection bulb supported within the second housing is adapted to pass. The first and second housings are adjustably coupled to each other such that when they are located in juxtaposed position the illumination from the bulb is directed into the first housing so as to project an image of the transparency film along an optical path defined by the transmitting system onto a rear projection screen mounted in one wall of the first housing. When the two housings are spaced from each other, the illumination from the lamp may be advantageously utilized for nonphotographic purposes, e. g., reading. Preferably, the rear projection screen is pivotally mounted to the first housing such that it may be moved out of alignment with the optical path thereby enabling the image to be projected onto a remote viewing surface.

Abstract: A camera having a pair of spaced lenses for sequentially exposing successive adjacent portions of the same light sensitive surface of a film unit. A pair of opaque doors, each having a photocell thereon, are pivotally mounted in overlying relation to the adjacent portions of the film unit and directly in front of the focal plane of the lenses. The doors are mounted for simultaneous movement between a first position wherein one of the doors and its associated photocell is located beyond the light path between one of the lenses and one of the adjacent portions of the film unit while the other door and its associated photocell overlies the other portion of the film unit so as to prevent exposure thereof, and a second position wherein the one door overlies the one portion of the film unit so as to prevent exposure thereof and the other door is located beyond the light path between the other of the two lenses and the other portion of the film unit.

Abstract: A photographic camera is disclosed having a single movable lens which may be utilized to optionally produce, on a given-sized film element, either one large format picture or a plurality of separately exposed smaller format pictures.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus of the type including a film chamber for locating a film cassette in position for exposure of a film unit contained therein and apparatus for advancing the film unit, subsequent to exposure, away from the exposure position. A spring motor is connected to the apparatus by a power train for driving the latter. The spring motor is wound or energized by a belt having one end connected to and coiled around a shaft of the motor and a second end having a member attached thereto which is normally located in the path of travel that the film cassette takes during its insertion into the film chamber whereby during such insertion the film cassette engages and progressively moves the member on the belt thereby unwinding the belt while simultaneously winding the motor's spring. The energy thus stored in the spring motor is used to drive the apparatus after each exposure. The apparatus driven by the spring motor may take various forms, e.g.

Abstract: A camera of the self-developing type closes the viewfinder during the advance of an exposed but unprocessed film unit across the viewfinder path. A blade coupled with the shutter closes the viewfinder path upon opening of the shutter. Subsequent passage of an exposed film unit across the viewfinder path, which delivers the film unit to processing elements which initiate fixing of the photographic image, releases the blade for return to the open position. The shutter cocking movement provides the motion for opening the viewfinder capping blade.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus has a film advance mechanism that advances the foremost film unit from within a cassette of stacked units by a major distance far longer than an access slot conventionally provided on the cassette for a short, index-like film advance. In a self-developing camera, the long advance can move an exposed film unit from the image surface to remotely-located spread rollers that initiate film processing.The advance mechanism engages the film unit in a manner that avoids conventional structural limitations on the length of the advancing travel. One embodiment introduces a pick arm, which drivingly engages a back edge of the film unit, into the film cassette under a marginal flange; the arm is free to travel inside the cassette along a major portion of the cassette length. Another embodiment successively indexes the film unit forward through the conventional access slot of the cassette and engages an accessable frontal margin of the unit to pull it further along the path of advance.

Abstract: A camera of the self-developing type has a compact arrangement in which the optical image path between the taking lens and the image surface is folded, and an exposed film unit is advanced along a path which crosses this optical path. After crossing the optical path and arriving at a location spaced away from the image surface, the film unit engages the spread rollers that initiate film processing.

Abstract: A photographic camera of the self-developing type has a movable housing module located along both a film processing path and an optical image path and which supports a photocell, optical elements of both a taking lens and a viewfinder, film processing rollers, and a drive mechanism for the rollers. In a closed position of the module, the processing rollers are spaced from a film cassette in the camera and are aligned, along the film path, with the foremost film unit in the cassette. The optical elements of the closed module are in optical alignment with related optical elements mounted on the camera frame and located between the cassette and rollers. In an open position, the module is clear of a cassette loading path generally coincident with the film processing path; and the rollers, optical elements, drive mechanism and other elements which the module mounts are accessible for inspection and maintenance.

Abstract: An exposure control system for photographic apparatus utilizing electrically controlled shutter-diaphragm blades mechanically latched in a light-blocking condition in conjunction with a latch actuator which delays return of the released latch to the blade path prior to commencement of the exposure interval during which scene light is passed to the film. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator enables a latch element for release and energizes the blades to draw them slightly further in a light-blocking direction from the latched position so as to release the latch just prior to initiation of the exposure interval, and the actuator includes an over center spring arrangement which provides a decrease in the required force of actuation as the system is electrically energized so that the operator inherently holds the actuator in an operating position with the latch element held out of blade engagement for a time sufficient to allow escape of the blades from the latch position.

Abstract: An exposure control system for photographic apparatus utilizing electrically controlled shutter-diaphragm blades and employing a latch, for holding the blades in a light-blocking condition, which is automatically released responsive to actuation of the blades just prior to initiation of an exposure interval during which scene light is passed to the film. In the illustrated embodiment, the blades are initially drawn slightly further in a light-blocking direction from the latched position so as to release the latch just prior to initiation of the exposure interval.

Abstract: A photographic camera apparatus of the type adapted for selective use with a source of artificial illumination includes a follow focus system embodying an interceptor which is selectively movable into the locus of travel of an exposure mechanism while at the same time being translatably positionable in correspondence with camera focusing along an elongated linear pathway for halting an exposure mechanism at locations corresponding to select exposure apertures as defined by the exposure mechanism. Trim means are additionally connected to the elongated pathway along which the interceptor means is translatably disposed to angularly shift the elongated pathway and its associated interceptor in a manner whereby a select exposure aperture may be changed by a predetermined number of F/stops regardless of camera focus.