Abstract: An apparatus for constraining a moving web of photographic film includes a first frame (84); a pair of oppositely facing, substantially parallel edge guides (148, 156, 158) supported by the first frame, each edge guide comprising a serpentine contact surface (160) with a central portion (162) for engaging an edge surface of a web moving between the edge guides; a second frame (70, 186, 248); a pair of film deflectors (262, 264) supported by the second frame; and a mechanism (74-96, 180-238) for relatively positioning the two frames with the film deflectors at least partially engaging the film with the serpentine contact surface, the mechanism being selectively adjustable to vary the deflection of the web toward the serpentine path, so that webs of different types of photographic film can be constrained for bar code reading.

Abstract: A core made of a soft magnetic material is supported to be movable, and a permanent magnet is mounted to move with the core. At least one electrically conductive drive coil is located adjacent the core and one pole of the permanent magnet. A casing, made of a soft magnetic material, is located adjacent to the drive. An electrically conductive sense coil is located adjacent one end of the core, such that when electrical current is passed through the drive coil in a first direction, the core is moved in a first direction and an electrical property associated with the sense coil is altered, thereby indicating the position of the core, and when electrical current is passed through the drive coil in a second direction, the core is moved in a second direction and an electrical property associated with the sense coil is altered, thereby indicating the position of the core.

Abstract: A valve assemblage (10, 50) for controlling the flow between fast and second containerized systems (C.sub.1, C.sub.2) having first and second openings (A,B), respectively. The assemblage comprises a first valve assembly (12, 52) positioned at the first opening of the fast containerized system and a second valve assembly (14, 54) positioned at the second opening of the second containerized system. A piston (20, 84) in the first valve assembly, when in a first position opens an entrance port (18, 100) for receiving fluid from or passing fluid into the first containerized system; and correspondingly, a retractable sleeve (36, 136) in the second valve assembly (14, 54) opens an entrance port (30, 122) in a proboscis member (26, 110) having a channel (28, 118) and outlet (32, 142, 144) for passing fluid to or receiving fluid from the second containerized system.

Abstract: Spent solutions from photographic processors are fed into a conduit (18) to which subsequently are added precipitating agents from a first source (22) and flocculating agents from a second source (28); so that, well grown or ripened clumps of flocculated solids are formed along the conduit before being emptied into a gravity collecting vessel and shipping container (38) from which clarified liquids are displaced by a mass (50) of accumulated flocculated solids, typically through a filter (58, 142, 150, 158, 162, 166, 220)for removal of any unsettled fines. Many of the clumps of flocculated solids become enlarged enough to individually extend across and substantially fill a cross-sectional area of the conduit. As a result, the enlarged clumps substantially block passage of and strain from the solution remaining fine particles which then adhere to the clumps.

Abstract: Described herein is a buffer device for use with photographic processing apparatus which provides a buffer for solution being fed to or collected from the apparatus. The buffer device (18) comprises a flexible plastic concertina-shaped container (30) having a volume appropriate to the apparatus with which it is to be used. The container (30) is preferably constructed to be normally-closed and requires liquid pressure to open it. The container (30) is fixed at its upper end (38) and its lower end (40) is free to move downwardly when liquid enters it. An index member (32) is attached to the lower end (40) and this member (32) cooperates with a position sensor to indicate to an operator whether the container (30) is "not empty", "not full" or "full".

Abstract: In a camera and printer system, apparatus and methods for recording or storing voice messages in message memory associated with an exposed image frame for reproduction as an annotation with prints made from the exposed image frames. The messages may be recorded on magnetic film layers or stored in camera on-board memory or in detachable message memory modules or cards to be forwarded with the exposed film strip to a photofinisher for read out and printing on the prints. The printer includes a voice recognition system for voice recognition of words spoken by the user and stored in the memory means and provided to the photofinisher. The messages to be printed may be stored or recorded by the user in real time with each exposure or at an earlier time to be reproduced on each print made subsequently. Notes may be temporarily stored with the making of each exposure, read out at a later time and used in the composition and recording in the memory of the message to be printed after voice recognition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously self aligning a first surface with a second roller has an adjustable support member for the first surface which produces movements of the first roller that corresponds to movements of the second roller. The adjustable support member supporting the first roller uses a plurality of bearings, preferably thrust bearings, arranged on the frame supporting the first roller which alignable controls the movements of the first roller in contact with the second roller.

Abstract: Spent solutions from photographic processors are fed into a conduit (18) to which subsequently are added precipitating agents from a first source (22) and flocculating agents from a second source (28); so that, well grown or ripened clumps of flocculated solids are formed along the conduit before being emptied into a gravity collecting vessel and shipping container (38) from which clarified liquids are displaced by a mass (50) of accumulated flocculated solids, typically through a filter (58, 142, 150, 158, 162, 166, 220) for removal of any unsettled fines. Many of the clumps of flocculated solids become enlarged enough to individually extend across and substantially fill a cross-sectional area of the conduit. As a result, the enlarged clumps substantially block passage of and strain from the solution remaining fine particles which then adhere to the clumps.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for loading a photographic camera (426) of a type including an external housing (428, 478) having a movable closure (484) giving access to a film guide track (566) within the camera, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber (562) and an exposed film chamber (564), the apparatus including a frame (12); a source (24) for unexposed photographic film positioned on the frame; a nest for receiving the camera supported on the frame; a film loading device (72) extending between the source and the nest for guiding film from the source into the film guide track within the camera; a film unloading device (82) extending away from the camera; and means for driving film from the source, along the loading device and into said camera and for driving film from the camera along the unloading device. Corresponding methods also are taught.

Abstract: An index print includes a recording sheet having a plurality of imagettes representing images stored on a motion picture image recording medium such as a video tape. The plurality of imagettes are less in number than an entire number of images stored on the video tape. An indicator, such as a time or count from the beginning of the video tape, is provided on the recording sheet adjacent the imagettes for indicating substantially where images, corresponding to the imagettes, are stored on the video tape.

Abstract: A first sheet (10, 32, 56) is coated by a coater (47) with a pattern comprising a plurality of discrete domains (12, 34) of a low-viscosity adhesive and is then laminated to a second sheet (70) by a paired-roller laminator (62). The viscosity of the adhesive is sufficiently low and the pressure of the laminator sufficiently high that the plurality of adhesive domains (12) are caused to spread during lamination and to displace air from between the sheets, forming thereby a single domain of adhesive which just fills the space between the sheets without adhesive being extruded substantially beyond the edges of the sheets and without air bubbles or voids being entrapped between the sheets. In a preferred pattern, the domains (12) comprise strips of adhesive with spaces (14) therebetween, the stripes being substantially parallel to the direction of lamination (16).

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator with position sensor includes a core made of a soft magnetic material, a permanent magnet located adjacent the core for providing a magnetic field in the core and an electrically conductive drive coil wrapped about a first portion of the core. The drive coil is supported such that the drive coil can move along the first portion of the core. An electrically conductive sense coil is wrapped about a second portion of the core and fixed relative to the core such that there is substantially no relative movement between the sense coil and the core. When an electrical current is passed through the drive coil, the drive coil moves along the first portion of the core and an electrical current is induced in the sense coil which indicates the position of the drive coil relative to the first portion of the core.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method for advancing photographic film is provided for use by a photographic system which uses film cartridges, such as cameras, film development equipment or equipment which provides for the viewing and/or printing of processed film contained within a film cartridge. The method can be used by a dual lens camera to intersperse on photographic film mono and dual exposures and thereby minimize the possibility of double exposures and/or film waste. The method according to the present invention is for use by the camera to advance the film after each exposure action to align unexposed frames of film with each lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an edge opening (22, 24) in a web (12) of photographic film includes a frame (84, 138, 140); an edge guide (156, 158) supported by the frame, the edge guide having a surface (160) for engaging an edge surface of a web moving past the edge guide; an aperture (334) in the surface; a guide track (325, 327) supported by the frame; an optical sensor (328) mounted on the guide track, the sensor comprising a probe (330) extended through the aperture to a point near the surface; and a mechanism (318-322) for moving the sensor along the guide track to position the probe for accurate detection of an edge opening.

Abstract: A photographic camera (426) is disclosed which includes an external housing (428, 478) having at least one movable closure (484) which, in an open position of the at least one closure, enables a discrete strip of film to be loaded from an exterior of the camera into the camera and a discrete film strip to be unloaded from the camera to the exterior; a film guide track (566) extending within the housing between an unexposed film chamber (562) and an exposed film chamber (564), the film guide track having a width corresponding to a transverse width of the film strip; and a mechanism (476, 508, 526, 530) for moving the film strip back and forth in the film guide track between the unexposed and exposed film chambers. The camera uniquely includes a feature (386, 550, 552, 574, 576) within the housing and at an entrance (554) to the film guide track for positioning an external film loading or unloading device (72, 82) for guiding film into or receiving film from the film guide track.

Abstract: A photograph is masked such that only a portion of a scene in the photograph is visible. The mask is adjusted to alter the portion of the scene which is visible until a portion of the scene which is desired to be reproduced is visible. Information which identifies the portion of the scene which is desired to be reproduced is recorded. The recorded information is used to create a hard copy reproduction of the portion of the scene which is desired to be reproduced.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) and methods are disclosed for loading a camera frame (100) for subsequent inclusion in a single-use camera, the camera frame including an exposure opening (102), a chamber (104) on one side of the exposure opening for receiving a light-tight film cartridge (18) enclosing a spool (19) to which is attached a trailing end of a filmstrip (36), and a chamber (108) on an opposite side of the exposure opening for receiving a scroll (268) formed from the filmstrip.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for closing a camera body of a type including a housing (10) for internal camera components, the housing including a cover part (12) and another part (14); and a plurality of fastener pairs (54, 56; 60, 62) extending between said parts, each fastener pair including a hook (54, 56) and a catch (60, 62) including an opening (64) for engaging a tip (56') of the hook. The apparatus may include a frame 162); a gripper (166-186) supported by the frame, the gripper having a pair of tines (170, 172) separated by a slot (174) for receiving the tip of the hook, a least one of the tines being configured (176-186) to engage an edge of the opening during insertion of the gripper into the opening, whereby said at least one tine is caused to flex into contact with the tip of the hook to grip the tip between said tines; and a cutter (188-192) supported by the frame, said the having a cutting edge (190) extended across the slot for severing the tip from the hook. A method of use also is taught.

Abstract: Apparatus (610) is disclosed for opening and closing a photographic camera (426) of a type including an external housing (428, 478) having a slidable closure (484) giving access to a film guide track (566) within the camera, the closure including an externally accessible slot (636), the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber (562) and an exposed film chamber (564). The apparatus may include a frame (12); a nest (74) supported on the frame for receiving a camera; and a door opening mechanism (612-646) supported by the frame, the mechanism including a member (632, 634) for engaging the slot and an actuator (616, 628) for moving the member to open the closure.

Abstract: Film winding between exposures in a photographic camera is interrupted and/or braked as a function of film velocity. The camera uses velocity in a control mechanism that stops the winding motor as a function of the velocity in response to detection of a film perforation. The function acts on a time interval between sensing a perforation and stopping the motor or applying a brake. The perforation detector and the velocity sensor use a single sensing element that generates first and second signals at the respective leading and trailing edges of a perforation. The time interval between the first and second signals is indicative of film velocity, and is used to determine the stopping function preferably in accordance with a predetermined look-up table. The control then selects an appropriate time interval between sensing a respective one of the perforations and stopping said motor. A brake also may be applied for stopping film movement, and the control applies the brake as a function of the velocity.