Abstract: A multipurpose motion picture film cassette is provided of the type wherein rewinding the film strip after exposure results in attachment of a pull strip to the film strip and subsequent advancement of the pull strip, as rewinding continues, to effect the removal of a tear tab closure which releases film processing fluid from an initially sealed storage reservoir. The pull strip is initially supported and constrained to an essentially S-shaped tortuous path having at least two turning points about which the pull strip passes when being advanced by the film strip. The pull strip is supported at each of its turning points by a cylindrical roller which in turn is supported by an arcuate surface having a radius of curvature substantially equal to that of the outer surface of the roller. The arcuate surfaces are arranged and sized such that they support the rollers for relative rotation therewith when the pull strip is advanced thereby.

Abstract: A cassette well structure for viewing apparatus adapted to receive a cassette for processing and projecting a photographic film strip contained in the cassette. The cassette well is defined on one side by a wall surface formed in a chassis support member on which cassette cooperative viewer components are mounted, the wall surface extending between flange formations defining well floor and end walls against which an inclined plate is secured to provide and opened top well enclosure. Cassette insertion causes the bottom wall thereof to upwardly engage biased members which operate to urge the cassette against a downwardly facing lip at the upper edge of the wall surface. Laterally acting spring means supported on the plate member loads the cassette against the same surface. Cassette ejection means moves the upper cassette portion free of the lip for ejection by the upwardly biased members.

Abstract: A programmable viewing system for processing and viewing cassette contained photographic film strips including a chassis defined by a centrally disposed vertical plate-like casting on which all internal viewer components cooperable mechanically and/or optically with the cassette are mounted together with a cassette well by which the cassette may be registered with such viewer components. A programming cam disc is rotatably carried by the casting for controlling both electrical switches for controlling an electronics logic system as well as shiftable viewer component positioning members, one on each side of the casting. The programming cam disc further controls cassette ejection.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing and viewing cassette contained film strips automatically in response to the condition of a cassette containing the film strip in accordance with programmed operational modes determined by an electro-mechanical logic system. The logic system enables the use of a single unidirectional electric motor for driving all viewer apparatus components including a programming cam disc between "off", "project" and "process/rewind" positions. A power switch organization brings about energization of the motor upon cassette insertion as well as movement of the logic disc to the off position upon a combination of cassette ejection and rotation of the camming disc to the off position. Motor operation in the process mode is controlled by an electronics system controlled by a combination of the programming disc position and the conductive or non-conductive state of cassette contained contacts which correspond respectively to the unprocessed or processed state of the film strip in the cassette.

Abstract: A programming cam indexing mechanism in which a rotatable programming cam, provided with a peripheral traction surface and a concentric inwardly facing track having one or more notches therein to define indexed programming positions, is rotatably driven by a capstan coupled with a drive shaft, the capstan being supported by a latch member pivotal on the drive shaft axis. The latch member is integrally formed to define a follower bracket and tab engageable with the inwardly facing track surface on the programming cam to hold the capstan in engagement with the peripheral traction surface thereof but to allow the capstan to swing away from driving engagement with the traction surface when the follower bracket tab drops into the positioning notches. A spring biasing means is provided by which the follower bracket tab is moved into the notches to latch the programming cam in any one of the indexed positions. Movement out of the notches is effected by solenoid activation.